Counter-terrorism authorities are investigating the presence of foreign militants at Wednesday night’s “special dinner” at Damdola that was struck ostensibly by guided missiles, sources told Daily Times on Friday. “It was a special dinner and guests included Wazir and Mohmand militants,” a source told Daily Times on condition of anonymity. “The Taliban have cordoned off the area and our special agents have not found a clue as to whether there was a high value target or any foreign militants [at the dinner]. But since guests were invited from other regions as well, that makes us suspicious of the presence of special foreign guests,” the source said.Taliban commander in Mohmand tribal region Khalid Umar’s brother Shah Wali was among the dead in the Wednesday night airstrike.
NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani called the strike “an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty” and said he was personally touched by the killing of eight-year-old
WednesdayÂ’s airstrike is third of its kind since January 2006. All three strikes were made at suspected targets in Mamoond tehsil, believed to be the stronghold of the Taliban in Bajaur.
Bajaur tribal region overlooks AfghanistanÂ’s Kunar province where the US forces are facing stiff resistance from militants, also including Arab fighters loyal to Osama Bin Laden. US diplomats expressed concern at an increase in cross-border movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Bajaur and over agreements made with militants to buy peace.
The NWFP government is negotiating a peace deal with militants loyal to rebel cleric Mullah Fazlullah in Swat district while the new coalition government of the liberal-democrat Awami National Party and the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party freed Sufi Muhammad, leader of banned Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi.
Death toll: Local sources in Damadola said the death toll is higher than what the Taliban had said. “The casualties are as high as 20,” they said. The Taliban say only eight people were killed.