WANA: At least seven suspected militants were killed and two others injured in a US drone strike on Friday in South Waziristan Agency. According to security sources, a vehicle close to a militant compound was the target of the strike in the Shonkrai Narai village of South Waziristan. Two missiles were fired by US drone, killing at least seven suspected militants and destroying their hideout in the area. Those who killed in the strike were yet to be identified.

South Waziristan is among Pakistan’s seven tribal districts near the Afghan border which are rife with homegrown insurgents and are alleged to be strongholds of Taliban. Further, sources said the area has heavy presence of Sajna group of the Taliban faction. The drone strike comes after a long halt, as North Waziristan has been the main target of drone strikes in recent months. At least five suspected militants were killed when a US drone fired two missiles at a compound in North Waziristan on September 1.

Earlier this week, security forces imposed a curfew in South Waziristan after a convoy came under attack which left one dead and injuring five security personnel. Based on averages within the ranges provided by the New America Foundation, the Long War Journal and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, there have been an estimated 522 US targeted attacks in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia since Sept 11, 2001, which have killed 3,852 people, of whom 476 were civilians.

In March, Pakistan successfully tested its first indigenous armed drone named Burraq, and its laser guided missile named Barq. The drone had the ability to fly in all types of weather conditions and strike its targets with pinpoint accuracy. At least three suspected militants were killed while a militant hideout was destroyed in Shawal valley of North Waziristan when Burraq was first used to carry out air strikes in September.