ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -- Pakistan has summoned U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson 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 U.S. missile strike killed five militants, possibly including an Arab Al-Qaeda operative.
The November 19 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.
The protest came a day after a suspected U.S. missile strike killed five militants, possibly including an Arab Al-Qaeda operative.
The November 19 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.
