US forces 'kill five in Pakistan'

US forces 'kill five in Pakistan' (NSI News Source Info) Islamabad - September 5, 2008: Tensions in the border region are rising. At least five people have been killed in another suspected US missile strike on militant targets in Pakistan's border region, Pakistani officials say. The army has reported an incident but says it is still investigating. It would be the third attack in three days allegedly carried out by US forces, who have not officially confirmed their involvement. Officials said a missile strike was launched by a suspected US aircraft in the North Waziristan tribal area. Unilateral strikes Some reports said Islamist militants were killed, while local TV channels said women and children were among the dead. This would be the third such attack in three days, including an unprecedented ground assault allegedly carried out by American commandos. In recent months US forces have stepped up unilateral strikes on Taleban and al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan's tribal areas. They say Pakistan is not doing enough to stem the flow of insurgents across the border into Afghanistan. Pakistani security officials suspect the Americans are trying to hit senior al-Qaeda targets ahead of forthcoming US presidential elections. Pakistan's army has warned that such direct US action could rally more tribesmen behind the Taleban and incite a wider uprising.