August 21, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 18, 1429

WANA, Aug 20: Missiles fired from across the Afghan border hit the residence of a tribal elder in Zari Noor area of South Waziristan on Wednesday, killing six people and wounding three others.

Local people said two missiles struck the compound of Yaqoob Mughalkhel Wazir near a Scouts camp at about 7pm. Spy planes had been seen over the area before the explosions.

Sources said bodies were found in the rubble and three wounded people were rescued. They said that Arab nationals and ‘Punjabis’ were among those who had been killed. Yaqoob Wazir was also injured.

Supporters of pro-government militant commander Maulvi Nazir rushed to the place and cordoned off the compound.

Tribal sources said Yaqoob Wazir, who lived near the local brigade headquarters, was an influential figure and had contacts with local and foreign militants.

He had played an important role in a peace agreement between the government and militants of the region.

The sources claimed that foreign militants, particularly Arabs, often visited his home.

It was not immediately confirmed whether the US forces had carried out the attack from across the border or Pakistani forces in the region had hit the compound. A suspected missile attack had killed 12 suspected militants in Baghar area of the region on Aug 13.

Al Qaeda commander Abu Khabab Al Masri and 11 other people were killed in another missile attack in Azam Warsak on July 28.