US drone strike kills 17 in N Waziristan
According to initial reports, a remotely piloted drone aircraft fired six missiles at a house.
At least two people were reported to have been injured in the attack.
Islamabad has repeatedly denounced drone attacks on its tribal areas as counterproductive to the overall fight against terror, and that such unilateral actions violate the country’s sovereignty and provoke militancy.
Human rights activists have also condemned drone strikes for the high number of civilian casualties. The Obama administration claims drones are important in taking out al Qaeda linked militants.
Clerics in North and South Waziristan, in protest against the drone strikes, had announced of boycotting polio vaccination campaigns in the areas.
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It is comical how everyone gets on their soapbox and complains that the US is violating human rights in FATA when there is no outrage when a woman is stoned to death or anti-Taliban militia men are beheaded.
It is clear that you are simply anti-American. You are not pro-human rights. And, since that is the case, the Americans have little incentive to quit the drone strikes. Do you think they care if they kill their enemies AND annoy their enemies supporters? Hardly. The anti-Americanism of the populace of this supposed ally simply makes it an easier decision.
Besides all that, the drones are effective and kill far fewer civilians than the Taliban and al-Qaeda. I am sure most civilians in FATA know full well that they would be far better off without them and would support the attacks if they could (without getting beheaded).
"Clerics in North and South Waziristan, in protest against the drone strikes, had announced of boycotting polio vaccination campaigns in the areas." Do these Mullahs think they are doing big favor by letting their people vaccinated?! Favor whom? What a regressive mindset!
Where is Foreign Office ?
@Kamran: "And I agree Pak has is its fair share of problems, but the solution lies with us and must be solved by ourselves":
This is a true statement as long as Pak 'problems' do not impact others adversely. If your problems affect others and you are unwilling to take care of it, they will. If you have a mad dog whom you do not put on a leash and is attackingthe neighbours baby, the neigbhour is justified in shooting the dog down.
@Hairaan: "Can you imagine CIA killing any of US citizen like this inside USA? No legal process, no right to defense, no court orders, no human rights…………….and the list goes on"
No and can you imagine US citizens strapping bombs to themselves and going to Canada and murdering innocent women and children there? Ask both questions or none.
@Sinclair: , I support drones. Geneva convention should only be applicable when there is an actual war between two nations’ armies.
Firstly do you actually consider Taliban as an Army of any Nation? Do you actually believe that they follow any International rules ? Lastly, what do you class a Nation that supports and trains and encourage such entities as ? The rules of Geneva Convention simply go out window as there is no relevance in this particular case ! Unfortunately for Pakistan , they lack basic structure, and India does at least have one ! Its Called Democracy ! not diluted version, but answerable and it has its flaws but its managed to hold the Constitution together since the British left, however that very Constitution has been treated as toy by whoever is in charge in Pakistan, hence the problems and demise of that Nation too. To be regarded as a Failed State !
@Kamran: I do sleep with rest and without any fear to be targeted by Drone in my home town Wana. Lets judge it by other way: Drones are taking place in the Wazirs and Dawars areas of both Waziristans and Mahsud areas under the military operation of Pak army. Have you ever heard about the IDPs from the Wazirs and Dawars areas? Almostly all Mahsuds are living their lives as IDPs. If there is any threat to their lives from Drone; then why they are not leaving their areas?
Once again, drone attacks are only possible because targets on the ground (KNOWN MILITANTS/COMMANDERS, Compounds, and vehicles) are identified by "spotters" ( ISI agents) in the target area!!! This target information/location is then passed on to the drone control teams in real time to start the missle launch sequence.
Let me put it in a different way. If these drones were used against TTP, will Pakistan raise its voice.
I would request USA to hit our army again. If they dont want to defend pakistanis from drones then they also deserve many salala attacks
@Mirza: Please also add "liberalism" in your list of problems Pakistan is currently facing.
Clearly we are poles apart Mirza. Its very easy sitting infront of a PC advocating the unlawful killing of 'suspected' people, its is quite difficult to be able to do the same if you were physically there where these ababeels wreak Havoc! But that is beyond you, that I can sense!
a correction, US didn't INVADE Abad, it was a covert action which was again ilegal. But in that case atleast we know the deceased was a wanted man. A significant number of people who die of drones are nameless, and without an identity who happen to fit a certain criteria and fall prey to 'signature strikes'. Every person holding AK and having beared is at risk despite that being the tribal culture. I dare you to grow a beard and carry a AK and visit tribal area and lets see if a hardcore proponent of drones like you can make it back alive. What do you think your chances are? Perhaps we can then all say we lost you for a major surgry!
And I agree Pak has is its fair share of problems, but the solution lies with us and must be solved by ourselves. No Outside power must be allowed to take advantage of our weaknesses and bread more hatred against the state of Pak and US! Two wrongs dont make one right! You kill an innocent and believe me his family will not care twice about hurting you back regardless of the outcome. Dont you think?
Sorry:)))))))))))))))))))
Drones may be extra judicial killing, but unless the Pakistani Army, and the government to some extent, is willing to make a policy decision to go after every terrorist, regardless that they attack Pakistani civilians and forcers, or others in our neighborhood (no distinction here), drones seem to be the only option. Demand that our army clean up the mess, and you will be surprised to see drones disappear.
@Mirza: After spending the money that NATO and US have on this mess and including the Fraud commited by their Partners over past decade. There is no option but to clear the mess and deal with it even if it upsets others, as no one is going to raise their voices again, due to the fact they are well aware of duplicity and risks involved if left unattended ! I don't hear any outcry any member of UN or their special friends! Why? The answer is Simple they don't Trust Pakistan ! Period.
I hardly find any difference between the Bahawalpur mob justice and this CIA drone justice.
Can you imagine CIA killing any of US citizen like this inside USA? No legal process, no right to defense, no court orders, no human rights................and the list goes on.
Pakistan has many major problems. Fanaticism, ethnic and religious killings and intolerance being the number one. Drone attacks are not even a minor problem and is not causing the death and destructions the terrorists are. These killings of innocent citizens have been going on way before the drones came into action. It does not serve any purpose if we only focus on the deaths of terrorists and not their own actions. These logics are like the "US illegal invasion of Abbottabad made OBL's kids orphan and wives widows" and therefore should be condemned on humanitarian grounds!
@Mirza
I disagree with your logic still! The ends must not justify the means! By that logic the way Gitmo prisnors were treated was the right approach too. what is a better way of getting information out of Gitmo prisnors if not by water boarding? Either that was correct too and therefore so are drones or am I missing the point here?
If these terrorists kill Shias unlawfully, and US kills 'suspected' militant (many of whom may be innocent) what is the difference between the two?
@Wazirstani
Just cuz you say are a wazirastani doesn't mean I have to believe you. Even if 100% of people being killed were terrorists, I'd still argue that it is not the right approach. BTW, can you happen to sleep in N.Wasiristan if you hear the humming noise of a drone approaching, because you so believe that they will only kill a militant and not you? Obv US has the best tech right and they know who they are shooting at.. but hang on .. didnt this argument just go down the drain the day US attacked Salala .. 'accidently'?
Finally, who is stopping US killing these terrorists when they operate in Afghanistan? Does the US have to wait for them to cross back into Pak and then fire on them? Who is stopping the US killing them when they are out in the battlefield?
@elementary: Of course you are right, but I did not mention all and had no time or energy. It was not intentional, if you have read any of my previous posts. However, I did summarize this "Supporting the worst dictators and kings in the world." Give an old senile guy a break, would you? I cannot continue to do this much typing without making mistakes! Thanks, and cheers, Mirza
@abc: "Elections must be called and they should let people decide." Let us assume that, as expected by you, people will decide against drone strikes. It doesn't mean a diddly because US will then pose the same question:"If you want to go after our enemies, you are welcome. If you don't, whether you like it or not, we will! Now, how do you want to proceed?" What would be your answer to that? Incidentally, you don't need an election. You can have a general referendum, just to decide this question.
A mother/wife’s first priority is to protect its children. If they know that their children/husbands are terrorists killing people, why stay with them to be killed. I know my wife and children will walk out of the door without a second thought. Same applies with neighbors. They are not stupid not knowing their surroundings. And please do give me the line that they are poor and uneducated. Being poor and uneducated does not give way to children’s safety.
Personally, I support drones. Geneva convention should only be applicable when there is an actual war between two nations' armies. Trial, no trial, human rights - none of this applies when you are prepared to strap a bomb on brainwashed subordinates to blow up innocent people. Then the golden rule should apply, and the terrorists get the exact same treatment meted out to them. If terrorism were a widespread problem in India, and if drones were used in India by USA - I would support it wholeheartedly.
@Mirza: You conveniently missed ,supporting a dictator in pakistan to groom these very Taliban to wage a proxy war against USSR in afghanistan.
@Mirza
''Usurping many human rights after 9/11 and keeping prisoners without trial in Gitmo''
From your reply I have highlighted exactly the issue with drones -- worst then Gitmo I'd say. here we are talking of killing without trial
I hope you realise your twisted logic next time you come appreciating these strikes!
@rfaiq: Neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan can claim credit for USSR's defeat in the Afghanistan war. The defeat of USSR in that war was possible only because of the introduction of a new weapon by USA. That new weapon was shoulder fired "Stinger Missile". Stinger Missiles made the entire difference in that war. It destroyed USSR's air offensive and made it impossible for USSR to drop more of its troops by helicopters. If not for the Stinger Missiles, USSR may have won the war. Now Drones are the weapon of choice of USA.
Dont worry, the great Khan will stop the Drones in 11 days...
How come people on here do not support the US drones ? - The drones are making the pakistani armed forces a great favour.
Had Pakistani armed forces taken care of their own land from spreading terrorism into nearby contries then the US wouldn't commit these attacks.
@Mirza Then how can you be so sure that they are not making a mistake with these ILLEGAL drone attacks that have cost civilian lives, fueled hatred for the US and have resulted in the US being perceived as an enemy by the vast majority of our people?
Thank u PPP,PMLN,JUI,ANP and MQM.
now downing one drone is badly required and soon expected
@Mirza, Can the US do any wrong?
Thats so disgraceful and the government has no pretext. Please let the people know explicitly that the drones will continue and the supply route will also remain open whatever happens to the pakistan. Shameful and it must be condenmed in any respect. Elections must be called and they should let people decide.
Well ..well
The US said sorry. They didn't say it wont happen again ,
Did they ?
@Mirza: USSR has the same mentality, even wrose but where r they now start counting the days for this biggest terrorist has numberd u will definatlly see this in ur life just be on the right side or u regret it.
@Babloo
What ink? the drones never stopped. Not even when the supply routes were blocked.