US missile strike blamed for 20 deaths in Pakistan

SUSPECTED US missiles hit a house frequented by an Arab militant near the Afghan border yesterday and killed 20 people, intelligence officials said, in the latest alleged American attack on targets inside Pakistan.

It was unclear if the Arab, identified as Abu Kasha Iraqi, was among those killed in the attack, officials said.

Suspected US unmanned planes have fired at militant targets in Pakistan at least 16 times since mid-August, putting pressure on extremists accused of planning attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan — and perhaps terror strikes in the West.

Two missiles were fired yesterday into Mir Ali village in North Waziristan the officials said.

The US rarely confirms or denies firing the missiles and the identities of those killed are also rarely made public.

Meanwhile yesterday, a suicide bomber attacked a police chief outside his house in the northwestern city of Mardan, missing him but killing three other officers and five civilians.

The bomber hit the car, but the officer was in another car as they emerged from the chief’s house.