Just as Pakistani officials meet with NATO brass to “discuss” these strikes within Pakistan. Friend and Ally Hanging By a Thread Update: “Suspected U.S. Airstrike Kills 6 Fighters in Pakistan,” by Candace Rondeaux for the Washington Post, November 20:
KABUL, Nov. 19 — A suspected U.S. airstrike deep inside Pakistani territory Wednesday killed six insurgent fighters and wounded several others, according to a Pakistani security official.
The airstrike in the district of Bannu in the North-West Frontier Province appears to be the first such attack outside Pakistan’s tribal areas. It came as the country’s top military officer met with NATO officials in Brussels to discuss the cross-border missile strikes, which have been increasingly frequent in recent months and which the United States considers necessary for combating al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The attacks have stoked tensions in Pakistan and drawn public rebukes from the government.
An unmanned U.S. Predator aircraft fired at least two missiles early Wednesday at a house near North Waziristan, one of seven semiautonomous tribal territories that line Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. A Pakistani security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly said the six who were killed were thought to be foreigners suspected of links to al-Qaeda.
Details about those killed could not be confirmed. A Pakistani military spokesman declined to comment. The United States generally does not acknowledge such attacks and has not issued any public comments on the use of Predator airstrikes on Pakistani soil….