Islamabad, June 6 (IBNS): Pakistan summoned Deputy U.S. Ambassador Richard Hoagland to the Foreign Ministry to protest the American drone strike in northwest Pakistan that killed terror group Al Qaeda's second-in-command on Tuesday.
The strike, the most significant victory so far in the United States' bombing campaign and the biggest setback to the terror network since the death of Osama bin Laden, prompted another dip in the already-strained ties between the U.S. and Pakistan.
Pakistan's foreign office in a statement said, "The US envoy has been summoned and officially conveyed the Pakistan government's 'serious concern' regarding drone strikes in Pakistani territory.
"Pakistan said that the drone strikes were unlawful, against international law and a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. A second and separate demarche was lodged with the US Ambassador on the seizure of unauthorized weapons that were in possession of US diplomats in Peshawar."
Al Qaeda leader Abu Yahya al-Libi was killed during a drone strike in northwest Pakistan, offcials from both the countries counfirmed on Tuesday.
Pakistani officials said at least 15 people were killed in the attack.
It was the third strike in three days in the tribal belt, The New York Times reported.
Al-Libi became the deputy leader of the group after the death of Osama Bin Laden in 2011.
He was a key strategist of al-Qaeda and was considered as one of the top leaders of the group.
The leader made a dramatic escape from a prison in Afghanistan's Bagram Air base in 2005.
