(Previous Incident Code: Ob5 )

A strike on an alleged TTP compound (complete with underground bunkers) killed at least seven and injured at least three people. The buildings were reportedly owned by tribesman Asghar Shamankhel, described as having ‘militant links’ (Dawn). Four ‘foreigners from Central Asian states’ were reported to be among the dead. However an internal FATA administration document recorded three locals were killed and one injured ‘according to information so far received’. Two missiles hit the house. Questioned about the attack that day by Fox News, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen told the channel:

I’m not going to talk a lot about our operations specifically. There is a continuing concern with the existence of the safe haven in the FATA in Pakistan, and that has to be addressed, has been addressed, and needs to continue to be addressed. We’ve brought pressure on both sides of the border, Pakistani military as well as coalition forces and Afghan forces, and we did towards the end of 2008, and that will continue to happen, and we need to continue to bring that pressure on both sides and continue to coordinate that — those operations.