(Previous Incident Code: Ob70 )

According to local and international media, up to five militants were killed in Tappi, Ghundikala, north Waziristan, as a car was struck by a an alleged US drone, though one others claimed it was the result of landmine explosion.

The death toll spanned from thee to five among the reports, all agreeing that the killed were militants. Also, the dead reportedly included Abdul Haq al-Turkistani, leader of militant group the East Turkestan Islamic Group (ETIM).

However, it transpired in June 2015 that Abdul Haq may not have been killed in this strike as an ETIM-linked propaganda outlet reportedly produced a video of Abdul Haq in 2014. The propaganda channel said he had been injured and incapacitated in this strike but had resumed his duties as leader in 2014.

ETIM had reportedly formed an alliance with al Qaeda. Among the group’s stated goals are independence for a Muslim region of China; and ‘to convert the people of China to Islam’.

While all sources blamed a US drone for the incident, some eyewitnesses said that the vehicle was hit by a landmine, as reported by Xinhua.

As of now, there are no reports of civilian harm.