Pakistan summons US envoy to protest over missiles attack

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (Reuters): Pakistan summoned US ambassador Anne Patterson Thursday to receive a formal protest over missile strikes launched by pilotless drone aircraft against militant targets on Pakistani soil, a Pakistani foreign ministry official said.
The protest came a day after a suspected US missile strike killed five militants, possibly including an Arab al Qaeda operative.
Wednesday's attack on Bannu district was unusual in that it took place deeper in Pakistani territory in an area outside the semi-autonomous tribal lands bordering Afghanistan where most other attacks have focused.
"The American ambassador has been called to the Foreign Office to lodge a protest over the missile attack in Bannu," a Foreign Ministry official told Reuters.
Meanwhile: A spokesman for a Taleban commander in Pakistan's tribal region of Waziristan has said his group is pulling out of a peace deal with the government.
Hafiz Gul Bahadur, one of the two main commanders for North Waziristan, has been at peace with the army since 2006.
His territory has been the target of several missile strikes by suspected US drones from Afghanistan since August.
A spokesman said the group would carry out attacks outside the tribal areas if there were any new US attacks.
Waziristan on the Afghan border is believed to be a safe haven for the Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.
The US says the insurgents use the territory to launch attacks against coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Since August, the territory of Bahadur and his compatriot Mullah Nazir has been hit 19 times by missiles fired by suspected US drones.