(Previous Incident Code: Ob21 )

Up to three missiles were fired at the funeral of Niaz Wali Mehsud, at which as many as 5,000 people were present, killing between 18-50 civilians (among them reportedly ten children and four tribal leaders).

The suspected militant targets were believed to include TTP leader Baitullah Mehsud, who either escaped or was never present. The dead were buried in a mass grave. Taliban leaders Maulvi Bilal, Khushdel and Shabir Khan were among those killed. Qari Hussain was also named among the dead. Also known as Ustad i Fidayeen (‘teacher of suicide bombers’), he was reported dead in several subsequent drone strikes (including Ob65, Ob137, Ob142 and Ob147) and in January 2011 was added to the State Department’s list of wanted terrorists. However in December 2013 the Taliban released a eulogy video confirming his death, though it did not specify a date.

Pakistan later condemned the attack, with Prime Minister Gilani raising the issue with the visiting US National Security Adviser, and a Foreign Ministry spokesman stating: ‘We have conveyed our serious concerns over the continued drone attacks to the United States. These are not acceptable and must be stopped.’ See also previous strike.