Drone strike in North Waziristan kills 20
The unmanned aircraft targeted a house and a vehicle near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Four missiles were fired in this latest attack, two on the house and two on the vehicle.
Drones are still flying low in the area as locals try to take bodies out of the rubble.
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
July 10 - Drone strike in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan killed seven people and injured three others.
June 18 - At least six militants were killed in Miramshah, North Waziristan.
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.
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Welldone America !!! You are very right and this drone attack is needed for talibans and Al-Quadas. I will pray to god, United States will can more attacks on terrorism activities in Afghanistan and Pakistan or Iraq and Iran by drone.
We are Americans and we can not stopped the war like terrorist and other terror activitys and do not like the entry of terrorism in United States and each countries of the world.
The Americans are won and the war and attack is in the blood and DNA of all Americans.
@azzythehillbilly: well i think it is terrorism from Iran that we should be worried about and pre-empt by culling the terrorist killing machine monsterous regime in Iran which is hated most by its own people
@ali: When these vile criminals bombed those who were praying in a mosque did you complain?
America is answerable to no law or international body. It imposes its will on others by hook or by crook. Creating bad press, to engineering economic hardship, to squeezing food and water sources, to launching militants, to use of force, to orchesterating coups, to fomenting civil wars, to committing untold atrocities are all fair game for her. If the government of Pakistan was its puppet, America would have conveniently used it as a rubber stamp, and since its not, America conveniently ignores it. Similar is the case of UN, if UN acts as America’s puppet, she uses it as a rubber stamp, else America ignores it. The bottom line is America’s interest, talk of democracy and terrorism is an eye wash to pursue those interests. Supression of political will of masses causes backlash, which US 'helps' to crush, given its against her puppets, hence torture in jails goes up for the cull whenever puppets are in power. America has always supported dictators in Pakistan as their weak position at home can be exploited for advancing America’s interests. In order to create confusion and discredit the efforts of current government of Pakistan, America is trying to create an impression that drone operations are being conducted with the consent of the government of Pakistan, which is not true. This only happened under the dictator, whom America exploited as usual. America wants pseudo-democracy in Pakistan with elected officials only about as powerful as a city mayor. All surveys report an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis oppose drone operations but that is not important for America. On the other hand if there is an issue that less than 5% of Pakistanis care about but it can be used to exploit the government, Americans would blow it up to look like a major issue for the sake of her interests. US spies on many top Pakistani polititians according to Wikileaks. The goal again is advancing US interests through exploitation of polititians.
The purpose is the same that of Pakistan Army and PAF they are just helping them the sooner the operation is over the better it will be for every one Army will return to barracks the IDPs will be able celebrate Ramzan in their homes.
Thank you, drone! Please continue.
Pakistan is a nuclear power with the nuclear assets are stored so securely that they would be eventually destroyed on US demand. Had we spent our monies on health, education, economic development and domestic security, Pakistan would have amongst prosperous, safe and successful countries.
@Hari Om: Becausedrones are guided by Pakistan.
I need them killed, no matter who does the job, a thunder, a cyclone, a bird or men.
Shows a tacit understanding and its already in the news that you keep doing it we will just make hue and cry and than shut up. Democracy like this only exists in PK.
drone is an effective tool against terrorism
@Shuaib Bhat: Which world are you living ? Drone strike are happening with the blessing of pak army and the govt.
Prior to Pak Army's troops moving into Swat there were several days of artillery bombardment resulting in the deaths of 100s of men, women and children and thousands of houses were destroyed. That is the sad nature of a ground war. This led to hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the area and becoming IDPs. Drone haters should realise that this technological weapon, while not perfect, is much more precise and accurate. There is la greatly reduced chance of collateral damage. However those harbouring terrorist in their homes often become victims as well, taking their wives and children with them.
I think the drone strikes need to be intensified now that all civilians are evacuated. Intact firing on every individual in nwa will be a good thing as we would clearly know that only terrorists are getting killed.
@Hari Om: Drons are striking with consent of Pakistan administration and army.
@ali: The locals have already been evacuated from the region
is you vote qadri, he'll declare it national bird of pakistan.
It isn't a joint operation but civilians are not being killed so I am neutral.
I am completely perplexed as to why there is not a single recorded attempt by the Military of Pakistan to thwart any one of the some 340 plus US drone strikes spread over a decade, despite loudly voiced disapproval from three separate administrations?
All this pusillanimous quiescence despite Pakistan being equipped with the requisite military hardware to thwart drone attacks such as the Spada 2000 SAM’s, RBS-70 Bolide MANPADS, ZDK-03 AWAC’s, Saab 2000 Erieye AEW’s, AN/TPS-77 Transportable radars, F-16 fighters, AAMRAAM and Sidewinder AAM’s.
All this inactivity despite Pakistan being fully within her rights to shoot down any drone intruding into her own territory.
What then explains this lack of any recorded attempt by Pakistan’s Military to thwart US drone strikes on Pakistan’s territory?
After evacuation of the area by the population, only terrorists who are fighting are staying. So the blame of collateral damage is also not there now. Good Job.
The drone - the new national bird of Pak.
Assuming that all civilians have moved out and remaining ppl are terrorists, it can be concluded that the joint operation is being successful...
The strong reaction in Pakistan would indicate if an imp Taliban leader is killed or not. Thanks a drone. I feel like Santa has come sooner. Please keep up the good work.
Happy Eid :)