ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (Saba) -- Over 25 people were killed and several others wounded in three US unilateral missile strikes on Friday in Pakistan's bordering tribal agency of Khyber, as the US ambassador to the country termed Pakistan's tackling of militant sanctuaries in the bordering areas as a "matter of capacity not will,'' according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

The strikes took place in three different areas of Khyber tribal agency with a gap of few minutes. In the first strike, according to security officials, a suspected headquarter of banned Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) outfit was targeted in Speen Darang area of Tirah Valley.

The second strike, officials told KUNA, took place in Nahqi area of Sipah village targeting two suspected militant hideouts, which also is also believed to be belonging to LI. Officials said further that in the third strike another house was targeted in Sundana village of the valley.

Among the killed were two wanted militant commanders, they added.
Tribal sources put the death toll to more than 30. However, their numbers could not be officially confirmed.

The strikes were fourth in the area since Thursday night, in which seven militants were killed. The latest strikes clearly indicated expansion in the US drone operations despite Pakistan government's opposition and the fact that they have proved to be counter-productive.
Hours later, US Ambassador Cameron Munter, addressing a press conference at the embassy, said that Pakistan's operation against militant sanctuaries in the bordering region was a "matter of capacity and not of will".

"There is a great amount of capacity being used at holding the ground the Pakistani Army has won at great cost," said the ambassador.

On Thursday, the US unveiled new policy review, which acknowledged that Al-Qaeda in Pakistan has become weaker than ever and that progress, though slow, in defeating Al-Qaeda and Taliban militant in the border region of Afghanistan has been achieved.

However, US President Barack Obama asked Pakistan to do more militarily in the tribal areas.

The US ambassador said that the US would like the militants to be moved out "tomorrow" but, he added, "we understand they're telling us honestly about the capacity of their military, and when they are able, we are convinced they will move in." While criticizing the drone operations inside Pakistani territory, the government has been asking the US to instead share the technology with the military and Pakistan's armed forces themselves will conduct operations against the militants.

Saba