Missiles from drones kill 9 in Pakistan

7/24/2012

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- U.S. drones fired eight missiles at a compound owned by a powerful militant commander in northwest Pakistan Monday, killing nine suspected insurgents, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

It was unclear whether the commander, Sadiq Noor, was at the compound in the North Waziristan tribal area during the attack.

Mr. Noor is the most important commander for Hafiz Gul Bahadur, a prominent Pakistani militant focused on fighting in Afghanistan.

The nine suspected militants who were killed were believed to be Mr. Bahadur's fighters, the intelligence officials said on condition of anonymity.

U.S. officials rarely discuss the CIA-run drone program in Pakistan in detail.