18 killed in Pakistan missile strike

A missile strike today destroyed the compound of a suspected militant leader in Pakistan’s tribal belt, killing at least 18 people, according to officials and local residents.

The Pakistani military disavowed responsibility for the strike in the South Waziristan tribal agency, raising the possibility that it was carried out by U.S. forces. American military officials in neighboring Afghanistan had no immediate comment on the strike, though U.S. troops are believed to have carried out several similar attacks in recent months.

Aerial and cross-border attacks by the Americans are rarely acknowledged because of the sensitive issue of Pakistani sovereignty. However, the U.S. military acknowledged responsibility for a cross-border missile strike last week that killed four Pakistani civilians, saying the attack had been aimed at militant leaders.

The target of today’s strike was not clear, though local officials said the compound was occupied by a pro-Taliban tribesman who went by the single name of Noorullah. The wrecked compound was a short distance to the south of Wana, the district’s main town.

The rugged, remote tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, particularly North and South Waziristan, serve as a base of operations for a plethora of groups affiliated with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

One local official described most of those killed in today’s strike as “Arabs,” a term often used to describe foreign militants. U.S. attacks on suspected militant leaders, such as the raid that killed senior Al Qaeda figure Abu Laith al Libi in late January, are sometimes carried out with unmanned aerial drones. Residents in the area reported hearing an aircraft overhead shortly before the missiles hit.

Pakistan’s main military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, said Pakistani forces had not carried out any operations in the area.

Local officials said it did not appear that any women or children had died in today’s attack. Pakistani security sources said the compound was being used as a training camp.

The strike came a day after a bombing in the capital, Islamabad, which killed a female Turkish aid worker and injured 11 other people, five of them Americans. The restaurant that was hit was a popular gathering spot for expatriates, suggesting that militant groups may be shifting their attention toward attacks targeting foreigners.

Western news agencies reported that militants loyal to pro-Taliban commander Baitullah Mahsud had claimed responsibility for the Islamabad blast. Mahsud is blamed by Pakistani authorities for orchestrating dozens of attacks, including the suicide bombing that killed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in December.

The Reuters news agency quoted Maulana Omar, a Mahsud spokesman, as also claiming responsibility for an attack last week in the eastern city of Lahore that killed at least two dozen people.

laura.king@latimes.com

Special correspondent Zulfiqar Ali reported from Peshawar and Times staff writer Laura King from Islamabad.