[The News (Pak) Top Stories] The Taliban in North Waziristan on Monday rewarded one of their fighters with a new model car for shooting down the US drone on Sunday evening.Also, government officials in the restive tribal region finally confirmed the downing of the US spy aircraft by the Taliban militants. The militants led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur claimed shooting down the drone in Hamzoni village on Sunday.
Tribal sources in Miramshah said the militants congratulated each other on Monday for shooting down the drone, known as 'Bangana' locally due to the thundering sound of the pilot-less aircraft.
The militant was given a new car by the Taliban leaders as reward to shoot down the drone. The militants from adjoining villages thronged Hamzoni to have a look at the wreckage of the drone. The militants wanted to meet and congratulate their fellow fighter, who accurately fired and hit the spy plane to the ground.
Taliban sources confirmed the man behind the downing of the drone had been gifted a car, but declined to name the fighter. They said he would be remembered as a 'hero' among the Taliban. "The shooting down of the drone has lifted the morale of our fighters. It's a huge success for the poorly armed Taliban against a powerful enemy," remarked a senior Taliban commander pleading anonymity.