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.