23 June 2009 Makeen airstrike

23 June 2009 Makeen airstrike was an attack launched by United States drones on a funeral procession in the city of Makeen in South Waziristan, Pakistan.[1] The attack targeted a funeral procession of militants killed earlier in the day in a prior similar strike by drones.[2] About 60 people were reported killed in what is considered perhaps the deadliest strike since the drone attacks started.[1] Other sources claimed up to 83 people were dead.[3] There were reports that Baitullah Mehsud was in the area but escaped unhurt while his deputy Qari Hussain was killed, although this has been disputed.[4][5][6] Hussain later phoned reporters to prove he was still alive.[7] The drones fired missiles when Sangeen Khan, an Afghan commander belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, was holding a meeting soon after the funeral of an associate of Baitullah Mehsud.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Suspected U.S. Strike Kills at Least 60 in Pakistan, The New York Times, 2009-06-23
  2. ^ 'Dozens dead' in US drone strike, BBC, 2009-06-23
  3. ^ Death toll in suspected U.S. drone attack in Pakistan's tribal area rises to 83. Xinhua News Agency, 2009-06-24
  4. ^ Missile kills key trainer of Taliban suicide bombers, Dawn (newspaper), 2009-06-25
  5. ^ Deadly 'drone attack' hits Pakistan, Al Jazeera English, 2009-06-24
  6. ^ Pakistani Taliban chief dodged missile: officials, Chicago Sun-Times, 2009-06-24
  7. ^ Yusufzai, Rahimullah (2009-06-29). "US, Pakistan both offer head money for Baitullah". The News International. http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=22988. Retrieved 2009-06-30. 
  8. ^ Missile attacks kill 50 in South Waziristan, Dawn (newspaper), 2009-06-24
  9. ^ Suspected U.S. strikes kill dozens in Pakistan, CNN, 2009-06-24