A US drone strike killed at least nine Pakistani militants in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province today, intelligence officials said, part of an intensifying drone campaign against Pakistani militants in Afghanistan.
Today's drone strike was near the site of fierce fighting on the Pakistani side of the border in recent days. Fighter jets have been pounding positions in the Tirah Valley in the Khyber region, and the military says it has killed scores of militants. At least seven soldiers have also been killed.
Two Pakistani intelligence officials confirmed today's strike in the Nazyan area of Nangarhar near Pakistan's Khyber Agency. They said the nine militants belonged to the Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam, which announced an alliance with the Taliban earlier this month.
The strikes come amid warming relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, traditionally hostile neighbours who each accuse the other of harbouring insurgents to act as proxy forces.
Diplomats hope Pakistan can pressure Afghan Taliban with bases in Pakistan to negotiate. But Pakistan has also said it wants to see action taken against Pakistani insurgents with bases in Afghanistan.
Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem Javelin Series? Ex-Pakistan Star Says It'll Be Bigger Than... Bangladesh Allows Ousted MP Cricketer From Sheikh Hasina's Party To Play Test Series In Pakistan No Spectators Allowed In Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test Match In Karachi. This Is The Reason 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel 9 Arrested For Violence At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped-Murdered Water On Mars: Uncovering All The Locations Water Was Found On Red Planet Huge Participation At Independence Day Celebrations By Army's Spear Corps Akasa Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Bhopal For Sick Passenger Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.