(Previous Incident Code: B36 )

A suspected US attack on Maulvi Nazir‘s network in Mandata, south Waziristan, killed up to nine civilians, though it was initially claimed that the strike killed either “twenty militants” or 18 “local people” as reported by an internal tribal agency administration document.

BBC, who cited eye witnesses, reported that “the missile strike completely destroyed Mohammed Omar‘s house, and partially damaged two neighbouring houses.”

While most sources reported deaths in the ranks of the militants, spanning from eight to 20, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s Waziristan researchers identified four civilians killed as “Nasrullah from the Dawar tribe, Umar from the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe and Naeem from the Utmanzai Wazir tribe while he name of the fourth slain person is unknown.

Among the killed militants was initially Haji Omar aka Mohammed Omar, though he was falsely reported killed as he appears to have died in Ob52 on December 31 2009. However, two of his brothers, Elda Jan and Shakum, and three nephews (unknown age) reportedly died in this strike. As of now, all five will be considered as civilians.

Thus, a total of nine civilians were possible killed.

Prime Minister Gillani subsequently issued a formal protest to the US Ambassador, Anne Patterson, who was told: “It was emphasized that such attacks were a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and should be stopped immediately.”

Pakistan’s Senate also passed a unanimous motion condemning the strike.

However, as of now, the US has not confirmed its involvement in the strike.