

At least 10 people are dead after the latest U.S. killer drone strike on the border region of Pakistan.

Four missiles slammed into a suspected Al Qaeda training camp in Kumsham village, in North

Waziristan province. Casualty counts vary: Local reports say ten were killed; a Pakistani military official tells the AFP that "between 11 to 14

militants, mainly foreigners, were killed in the strike."

On Monday, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari warned the new U.S.

commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, that the attacks were "counterproductive" and could harm the battle for hearts and minds here... Official sources, however, admit privately that successful U.S. strikes benefit Pakistan's military efforts to eliminate foreign militants on its soil.

This is at least the 20th drone strike on Pakistani soil since the start of August. But it's the "first since Petraeus assumed leadership of the U.S. Central Command," the Long War Journal observes. And Petraeus shows no sign of calling off the unmanned attacks. "Certainly there does have to be a better explanation of the blows that have been struck in recent weeks and months," Petraeus told the AP. "It is hugely important that three of

20 extremist leaders have been killed in recent months" by the killer drones. He declined to name who those leaders were.

[Photo: U.S. Air Force]

ALSO: