US missile strike kills 4 Al-Qaeda operatives

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KARACHI, Sep 10 (AFP) A US missile strike targeting a top Taliban commander in Pakistan's northwest killed four mid-level Al-Qaeda operatives, a security official and a militant source said Wednesday. brMonday's strike in North Waziristan failed to kill Jalaluddin Haqqani or his son, Sirajuddin, accused by Afghan and Western forces of orchestrating the ongoing insurgency across the border in Afghanistan.brFive missiles fired by suspected US drones destroyed a seminary and an underground tunnel built by the Haqqanis in Darpa Dandekhen, near Miranshah, the main town in the troubled Pakistani tribal district, killing 21.brAccording to local sources the strike killed four Al-Qaeda operators and some extended family members of Haqqani's, a security official told AFP.brA source in Haqqani's group confirmed the death of four Arabs, identified as Abu Harris, Abu Hamza, Abu Qasim and Abu Musa Alkhyan.brThe names are thought to be cover names and neither the security official and militant source would reveal their real identities.brThe official said Hamza was believed to be an expert in making roadside bombs, while Harris was looking after the group's logistics in North and South Waziristan areas.brMissile strikes targeting militants in Pakistan in recent weeks have been blamed on US-led coalition forces or CIA drones based in Afghanistan. Pakistan does not have missile-equipped drones.