Pakistan Summons U.S. Ambassador To Protest Missiles

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.