Drones and civilian deaths (II)

JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA: The March 17 drone attack targeting a jirga in North Waziristan is an obvious indication of America’s insensitivity to the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan. There is no doubt that drone attacks are effective in the targeting of militants in Fata, subject to accurate ground and air intelligence. But without any ground rules, these attacks could be very counterproductive. According to reports, one drone attacked a meeting being held in the open between tribal elders gathered to sort out some differences pertaining to mining rights between two tribes.

There are reports that some militants were present in the meeting but will this permit Americans to attack the whole gathering and kill innocent people as well? The Americans have been in Afghanistan for almost 10 years but yet have been unable to win the minds and hearts of ordinary people — and do they really think that the people of Fata will appreciate attacks such as these?

Masood Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2011.