Seven militants killed in US drone strike. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
At least seven suspected militants were killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan Agency on Sunday.
The attack took place in Shawal tehsil, around 55 kilometres from the agency headquarters, Miramshah, on the confluence of the border between North and South Waziristan agencies.
“Two US drones launched four missiles at two houses in the Palki area of Shawal,” a local security official told The Express Tribune. “Seven suspected militants were killed and three injured in the attack,” he added.
According to the official, tribesmen from nearby houses rushed to the site of the attack immediately after and pulled out the casualties from the rubble.
The identities of those killed were not yet clear, said another official while confirming the attack.
Officially, Pakistan strongly condemned the drone strike.
“These unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have repeatedly emphasised the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes,” reads a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday.
“The government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications. Such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations,” it added.
“These drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region.”
Islamabad has repeatedly protested against the US drone strikes. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who left for New York on Sunday, is set to raise the issue in his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 27.
Washington, however, views drone attacks as a vital tool in the fight against Taliban and al Qaeda militants in the tribal regions.
Despite this, there has been a recent decrease in their use. According to an AFP tally, there were 101 attacks in 2010, killing more than 670 people, compared to just 19 so far this year, killing over 100 people.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2013.
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I am amazed at the intellect of many in pak society, who blame India and US for all terror in Pakistan. If they are India backed why does not Pak army demolish them? Think and think critically.
US and India do not want peace in Pakistan and both are trying their best to sabotage peace process, first is involved in drone attacks and later in bomb blasts.