Two hostages killed in anti-terror operation, admits US

Washington, April 23 (IANS) The White House said on Thursday that a US counter-terrorism operation in January killed two hostages, one American and an Italian, held by Al Qaeda in the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Xinhua news agency reported. "It is with tremendous sorrow that we recently concluded that a US government counter-terrorism operation in January killed two innocent hostages held by Al Qaeda," said a White House statement. "Analysis of all available information has led th