Pakistan warns U.S. drone strikes could harm inter-state relations

Pakistan condemned Friday a latest American drone strike in the country's tribal region and warned that such strikes set"dangerous precedents in the inter- state relations."

An American spy aircraft rained missiles into North Waziristan tribal region and killed at least five people early Friday, security officials said.

The U.S. unmanned drone fired two missiles at a compound in Ghulam Khan area, close to the Afghan border, tribesmen said. They said the house was destroyed in the strike. "The government of Pakistan strongly condemns the U.S. drone strike that took place in Ghulam Khan area of North Waziristan on the early morning of Sept. 6," the Foreign Ministry said.

"These unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

It said the government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications.

"These drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region," the Foreign Ministry said.

According to Xinhua, There was no information about the identity of the slain men in Friday's strike.

It was the second U.S. strike in the same region in a week.

A U.S. drone killed at least four people in Heso Khel area, east of Miranshah, headquarters of North Waziristan on Aug. 31.

Pakistani officials said they are in talks with the U.S. to find out an alternate solution to the drone issue.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry suggested last week that drone strikes targeting Taliban and al-Qaida operatives in Pakistan could end"very soon"as the threat of militancy recedes.

Reports suggest that Friday's attack was the 19th in Pakistan this year. Nearly 120 people have been killed in such attacks by far.