The drone war: Islamabad fumes as drones continue to hit targets
In this month’s first strike, a US drone attack targeting a suspected militant compound killed at least 10 insurgents in North Waziristan Agency early Saturday, triggering a strong condemnation from Islamabad.
Two missiles hit and destroyed the compound in the Shawal area, some 70 kilometres west of Miramshah, injuring several including women and children, officials said.
“The death toll in the US drone strike has risen to 10. The drone fired two missiles at the compound,” a security official in Peshawar said. Officials had earlier put the death toll at six.
Following the attack, the Foreign Office issued a condemnation, reiterating that such “illegal attacks are a violation of (our) sovereignty and territorial integrity, and are in contravention of the international law”.
Spokesperson Muazzam Ali Khan said: “It is our considered view that the strategic disadvantages of such attacks far outweigh their tactical advantages, and are therefore, totally counter-productive.”
The identity of those killed in the strike was yet not known and officials said they were trying to collect more information from the far-flung mountainous area.
Repercussions
Asked why Pakistan does not bring up the issue of drones while discussing cooperation with the US, a top official of the Foreign Office told The Express Tribune: “Yes, it’s an extremely important issue which is directly linked with our sovereignty. Despite that Pakistan is not in a position to take this matter up with the Americans as a segregate item.”
“However the desire to resolve all issues exists on both sides.”
The official added that Pakistan was preparing a comprehensive work plan which was in consultation with all the concerned ministries, keeping in view parliament’s recommendations.
“The Americans are themselves divided over drones and a great chunk of the US community and statesmen term them extrajudicial killings,” he said while asking not to be named.
(AFP with additional reporting by Sumera Khan in Islamabad)
Published in The Express Tribune, May 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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If the ISAF is attacked by militants from Pakistan and our government claims it has no sovereignty there and cannot stop them, then the International Security Force with its UN mandate can strike at those terrorists or militants. If Pakistan claims to have soverignty in those areas it should stop the militants themselves, otherwise no justification in protesting. And as for PAFdowning a drone, they can very easily destroy the aircraft which is trying to down the drone. And drones r very effective and accurate, mostly only the real militants r hurt. Thats why the religious parties make a big noise over them but say nothing when mosques r bombed or soldiers n civilians r killed.
The American drone attacks on Pakistan's North Western territory now constitute a core issue in Pakistan-US relations.It has strained the relations between both countries.Pakistan's protestations and condemnation of those attacks,which have killed number of innocent women and children in the desolate villages of Pakistan,have been callously ignored by the US.Through the persistent drone attacks America is besides committing extrajudicial killings behind the facade of collateral damages has also contravened the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Pakistan.Thus America,the so-called champion of Human rights and democracy,is guilty of violating on one the International Humanitarian Law and on the other the International Law.A state committing these crimes is deserve to be consigned to wilderness for its barbaric acts..
I can logically prove that drones are both good and bad, Good by saving our Army's casualties and material damage, by taking out perpetrators of worst attacks on soil of Pakistan. Bad as our airspace and our sovereignty is being violated which can encourage others ( India and Iran) to follow suit.
Shame on us that we cannot even down an unmanned aircraft. What is the use of PAF???
@Zaleem Singh: Don't be silly ! Since when has anyone in Pakistan's Elite ever Resigned????
Kayani should resign from his post
I think I have a solution to this problems. My solution, if implemented will stop drone attacks automatically. " stop harboring the terrorists".
I think Pak should act magnanimously and accept and state that they have given permission for drone attacks. Do they have a choice ?
I suppose his definition of "great chunk" and mine are quite different. The overwhelming majority of American's favor drone attacks - and I would add that the International Community does not agree with Pakistan view that it can provide de-facto sanctuary to terrorist.
NO.
Eat Grass or Eat drone!
We need the american money to help our economy which is more important.
Following the attack, the Foreign Office issued a condemnation, reiterating that such “illegal attacks are a violation of (our) sovereignty and territorial integrity, and are in contravention of the international law”. Very well and impressive given statement but unfortunately our corrupt,slaves and NRO certified leaders IMF's and US' beggars and the beggars are always the followers not the owners and can only condemn and protest against the illegal activities instead of taking any practical actions.So stop begging from USA and IMF of any kind of aids and live like the owners not like the beggars thus you can control drones' attacks not in the state of beggary.
“The Americans are themselves divided over drones and a great chunk of the US community and statesmen term them extrajudicial killings,” Yeah, he'd certainly be someone in a position to judge that, right? He's wrong, too. The ones speaking the loudest about that are the common humanitarian spokespeople. But they also speak out against every small part of any war. That's the part they play in the whole. They will never applaud any war-like action. They're the "the world should be like this" part of people. The opposing side "but its not like it should be" also exists. Fact of the matter is, nobody is going to be sympathetic to people who are sheltering the people who want them dead. You could say the deaths caused by that is bad and maybe it is. But you're also the ones making us choose in the first place. We choose our own lives over hate spreading bigots who cause only harm. Someone has to do it. A world where nobody does is not a pleasant picture. Just look at Pakistan itself. It's the embodiment of the result. If nobody deals with them, the whole world will end up like Pakistan and that is more than enough for people to willingly take up the role of the bad guy for the greater good.
No one is fuming. The Govt.nis fine with these strikes and so is the army. Or both are impotent.
Drone is the best thing after the slice of bread. The anger of rightwing against drone attacks proves it is working big time. Even OBL's letter prove that he was afraid of drones. Once more God has sent Ababils to protect innocent Muslim civilians of Pakistan.