SAARI NEWS: us drone strike

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<b>PESHAWAR: A US drone strike on Friday killed Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Hakimullah Mehsud near Miranshah area of North Waziristan, security and insurgent sources said.</b></div>
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Mehsud, believed to be aged about 34, died along with three others when a US drone fired two missiles at a vehicle in a compound in the village of Dandey Darpakhel, five kilometres (three miles) north of Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan, officials said.</div>
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Security and intelligence officials confirmed the death, while a senior Taliban source said Mehsud was killed along with his bodyguard, driver and uncle. Another Taliban commander said the funeral would be held on Saturday.</div>
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It is the second significant blow to the TTP in less than a month, following the capture of another senior commander by US forces in Afghanistan. </div>
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After a bloody six-year TTP insurgency which has left thousands of soldiers, police and civilians dead, the government has been edging towards talks with the militants.</div>
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Mehsud took control of the TTP after a bitter fight for the leadership following the death of founder Baitullah Mehsud in a drone strike in August 2009. Mehsud was widely reported to have been killed in 2010 but later resurfaced.</div>
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Hundreds of civilians have died in the attacks, according to various estimates, prompting outrage in Pakistan and leading critics to accuse the US of breaching international law. </div>
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A major report last week from rights campaigners Amnesty International said the US may be guilty of war crimes, highlighting two attacks which it said appeared to kill only civilians.</div>
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The Pakistani government officially condemns drone strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and last week Sharif urged US President Barack Obama to halt the programme during a meeting in Washington.</div>
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<b>AFP</b></div>
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TTP confirm death of Hakimullah Mehsud in US drone attack

PESHAWAR: A US drone strike on Friday killed Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Hakimullah Mehsud near Miranshah area of North Waziristan, security and insurgent sources said. Mehsud, believed to be aged about 34, died along with three other…