MIR ALI, Pakistan (AP) — CIA director Leon Panetta is in Pakistan meeting with the country's prime minister today, as intelligence officials describe another suspected U.S. missile strike against insurgent targets in the country's northwest.
The officials say at least eight militants were killed when a U.S. drone fired two missiles at a compound being used by suspected Taliban militants in North Waziristan. Insurgents are believed to be fleeing there from South Waziristan (vah-ZEER'-ih-stahn) where the army is conducting an offensive.
The CIA is believed to be behind more than 40 missile strikes against suspected al-Qaida and Taliban targets in the border region over the last year.
In a statement, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani (gee-LAH'-nee) says he told Panetta that any new U.S. strategy for Afghanistan must take into account Pakistan's concern that troops could push militants across the border into its territory.
The U.S. Embassy has declined to comment on the CIA director's visit to the country.
%@AP Links
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<<CUT …048 (11/20/09)>> 00:12 "border in Pakistan"
Chris Brummitt (BRUH'-miht)
AP Correspondent Chris Brummitt reports eight suspected militants in Pakistan have been killed by a missile. ((watch for dating in lead))
<<CUT …049 (11/20/09)>> 00:10 "too many strikes"
Chris Brummitt (BRUH'-miht)
AP Correspondent Chris Brummitt reports there have been fewer drone missile attacks in recent weeks.
<<APPHOTO GFX143 (11/20/09)>>
: Map locates Mir Ali, North Waziristan, Pakistan where militant position have come under missile attack
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