Drone strike in North Waziristan not confirmed yet: FO

The unmanned aircraft targeted a house and car in the Datta Khel area, killing 7 and injuring 3.


Afp/web Desk July 10, 2014

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: The drone strike reported in North Waziristan today has not been confirmed yet, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam stated on Thursday, during her weekly media briefing in Islamabad.

Express News reported earlier today that a drone strike in North Waziristan killed seven people and injured three others.

"I have also seen media reports about the drone strike but have no confirmation as yet about the veracity of these reports," Aslam said.

"Our position on drone strikes is very clear. We have condemned these attacks. We have made it clear that these attacks are unacceptable, they violate Pakistan’s sovereignty," the spokesperson added.

Aslam remarked that Pakistan has been successful in creating a strong public opinion against drone strikes which violate the international law, adding that drone strikes complicate efforts to eliminate terrorists.

The unmanned aircraft is said to have targeted a building and car in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency.

Two US drones fired four missiles, local security officials said.

A local security official told AFP that Thursday's drone strike had killed four foreign fighters.

"The compound and a vehicle parked inside were completely destroyed," the official told AFP.

Another security official in Peshawar confirmed the attack.

The last drone strike carried out in the tribal area was on June 18. It had killed at least six militants in North Waziristan.

More than 2,000 people have been killed in drone attacks since August 2008, according to an AFP tally, with critics charging that the strikes cause many civilian casualties.

Previous strikes

On June 11, two successive drone strikes reportedly killed around 16 people and injured few others in Miramshah.

This was the year's first drone strike after a six-month lull. The previous drone attack on Pakistani soil occurred on December 25, 2013 in the Qutab Khel area of Miramshah, killing four suspected militants.

According to media reports, the strikes were temporarily halted at the Pakistani government’s request.

COMMENTS (25)

kulwant singh | 9 years ago | Reply

@Baba Jee: My respected Baba jee please explain why the America is not doing such thing in India our politicians are also like yours but the only difference is that the Army can not dictate to politicians.

kulwant singh | 9 years ago | Reply

@Khalid: You are right my brother the drones are doing the same work which the Pak PAF and Pak Army but I fail to understand why most Pakistanis are against drone strikes. Pray for the early success of this operation and it will be a Ramzan gift from Pak Army.

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