K & P

Drone strikes leave 15 dead in Waziristan

Fifteen people were killed in two suspected US drone strikes in North and South Waziristan.

Express/afp July 26, 2010

The death toll from the US drone strikes in the tribal belt has risen to 15.

Updated from print edition (below)

Drone strikes leave 11 dead

Two separate US drone strikes in the tribal belt killed 11 suspected militants on Sunday. The first strike occurred on the border between North and South Waziristan agencies in the morning, while the second struck Tabbi Toll Khel in the evening.

Four militants are reported to have been killed in the first strike, while seven were killed in the second.

In the first strike, missiles fired by a pilotless drone targeted a tunnel that was used by militants to hide near Algad, said a security official. Speaking to The Express Tribune on condition on anonymity, he said a search operation was immediately conducted and 15 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along with 20 rockets and three anti-aircraft guns were recovered from the site. Five suspected militants are reported to have been injured in the strike.

The former residence of slain Tehrik-i-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud is also located in the area. This is also the area where Hakimullah Mehsud was targeted by a drone strike in January. Other officials said the targets were suspected militants loyal to Commander Sherzaman.

The second drone strike in the Tabbi Toll Khel area in North Waziristan Agency killed seven suspected militants and injured three. US drones fired two missiles at a house of suspected militants. After the attack, locals rushed to the spot and began helping the injured. It is not yet clear whether any high-level commanders were injured in the attacks.

Waziristan came under renewed scrutiny when Faisal Shahzad, the

Pakistani-American charged over an attempted bombing in New York on May 1, allegedly told US interrogators he received bomb training there.

The US has been increasing pressure on Pakistan to crack down on militant havens along the Afghan border. The military has not ruled out an offensive in North Waziristan, but argues that gains in South Waziristan and Swat need to be consolidated to prevent troops from being over-stretched. (Additional input from Agencies, NEWS DESK)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (10)

Sadia Hussain | 14 years ago | Reply The increase in drone attacks points towards an increased presence of militants in North Waziristan. In the aftermath of the successful operation in south many militants have fled towards north. It is important that these elements are not allowed to consolidate their positions.

Zainab Ali | 14 years ago | Reply These drone strikes are important in the achievement of important targets; however it is also important to consider the increasing civilian death toll.

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s faisal | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistan must withdraw from US coalition ask US to give permission targeting This gangster in konhar.

Amna Zaman | 14 years ago | Reply @sultan. We are at this place and the blame is only on us. We have let the militants rule our freedom in the past. Till we do not take stand against all such atrocities, we cannot chalk out a solution.

Nina | 14 years ago | Reply How many of those killed were actually civilians? Will we ever know the truth? At one time these militants were glorified as freedom fighters, and now they are opposed to foreign presence in the region they are called terrorists. When the US tells our government to jump, our govt asks "how high"? I ask where have all the good men gone, as there are none in our government.

Marium | 14 years ago | Reply Lets just be grateful that the only thing we're facing are drone attacks in the dangerous regions. Pakistan gave away its sovereignty during the USSR war. Lets not even get there...

Hamza Baloch | 14 years ago | Reply What Usa will say if Pak also start "air strike" in afghansitan on anti Pakistani camp???

Natasha | 14 years ago | Reply Javed, Guards have turned a blind eye to a lot of issues. We are not able to run our country properly. Let's become a US colony? Sultan, You really think they 'mean' it when they ask US not to carpet bomb FATA?

javed nazir | 14 years ago | Reply when guards turns blind eye on those against whom operation in FATA was launched, though an ally in the war on terror, then some one else (U S in this case) is to take care of the menace.

Sultan Ahmed. | 14 years ago | Reply Many time, government of Pakistan requested United states not to attack in side the territory of the country in this way its sovereignty is effected but United States overlooked all the requests and attacks are continued. Counterproductive was expected,it was informed but didn't care now result is before us Pakistan is facing tremendous insurgency inside and fight against it for years . The technology of good Talban or bad Talban is not a right approach to favorable direction and in the light of it offer of negotiation has been mad Pakistan in such circumstances can not have talk with them due to drone attacks. One side drone attacks are continued and on the other negotiate with them it is impossible and they refused also. Drone attacks must be stopped for a while and see the result then carry on.

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