WANA, Oct 27: An important Taliban commander, Muhammad Omar, was among 20 militants killed in a missile attack by a US drone in Shakai area of South Waziristan on Sunday night, sources said.

They said that Omar’s two elder brothers, Eida Jan and Shakum, and three nephews were also killed in the midnight air strike. Eida Jan was also harbouring militants in the area.

Residents said that a portion of the compound was targeted in Mandata Village of Shakai valley, some 25 kilometres north of Wana. Locals retrieved bodies and the injured from the destroyed compound. Two nearby homes were partially damaged in the attack.

The dead were buried in Wana and Shakai while two injured people were taken to a government hospital.

Omar was stated to be a close associate of the late Commander, Nek Muhammd, who was killed in a missile attack in Wana in June 2004.