The security official said that the targeted a compound was situated in Kund Ghar village, Shawal tehsil. It was frequented by militants. Shawal lies about 45km southwest of Miranshah subdivision of North Waziristan.
“The drone targeted a hideout frequently used by militants, which was destroyed in the attack,” said the official. Local sources said the compound was known as Rehmani Markaz.
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.
COMMENTS (30)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Dil Dil Pakistan: Clearly India has the policy of only retaliation. Not Initiation. But Pak has policy to start. Who will dare first?
@Dil Dil Pakistan: So you choose which country can fire a bullet and who cannot.
Sovereignty, Sovereignty, Sovereignty.. Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. Lets honestly ask ourselves how much control does Pakistan government have over areas being targetted by drones? Militants (ignorance?) rule there and dont even allow basic vaccines (polio) for their kids. They dont miss any oportunity to take credit for killing of Pakistani security personnel and dont hesitate to kill civilians (all Muslims!). So stop this rant about sovereignty. The sooner you get real, the better it is.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: "Kindly note that Pakistan is a Nuclear State." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And that Pakistani satellites are flying high in space! ( ok with some little chinese help)
@Shadowliner: your response to Mr. Siddiqui was the most brilliant comment I've ever read on ET.
@abc:
'The government must explain the nation on what grounds they have allowed a drone to come and fire at suspected militants'.
Why don't we rephrase your comment to read...The government must explain the nation on what grounds they have allowed suspected militants to come and base themselves in Pakistan..... Doesnt this make more sense?
Terrorism cannot be eliminated through terrorism!
@Pakistani Hindu: Totally agree!!! I wish more, many more see it that way too.
@Rashid: It's intel, bro!
These drone strikes are ok, even if dozens are killed each month. But if India dares fire a single bullet at any Pakistani soldiers, be prepared for the consequences.
@Mohammd Ali Siddiqui: "The only solution to stop the US drone attacks is: Pakistan should build a technology which should direct the US fired missile from the drone to change its direction, follow the drone and then finally attack back the drone and destroy it in the air."
This fancy new technology is not needed. Both Pakistan and US know that Pakistan air-force fighter planes can shoot drones down today if they choose to. Pakistan army which runs its foreign policy and security plicy is simply not ready to take the consequences of that action.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: I have a stupid question.
Pakistan gave the nuclear technology to Libya, Iran and North Korea. However, none of these countries have been able to make a bomb till today. Does Pakistan really have the technology to make the bomb or it just purchased of was gifted some bombs ?
@ Mohammad Ali Siddiqui
"When we can make an atom bomb, we can make every thing."
Please make peace - with the world, with your neighbours, with yourself, with God.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui
I suggest you use that "will power" and generate some electricity, clean drinking water and proper sanitation - after that you can focus on star wars anti drone technology.
At least six suspected militants were killed
Thank God. World has six terrorists less.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui Nuclear technology of Pakistan is not developed but stolen by who you know. As far as any other cutting edge technology like drones, forget it for many years to come.
Pak army has always supported drone strikes... it is on record for several generals who have spoken in favor of it, as they know they dont have eitther the means or they are incapable, or the cost of operation will be huge. Its only political parties who try to make loud noise. Till today, no one can propose an alternate way to clean up the mess on ground, instead of blaming US.
I have just started to support drone strikes right after mortar shelling from Pakistani military into Afghanistan. Mortar ka jawab missile se. I am loving it.
@Nisar:
Kindly note that Pakistan is a Nuclear State.
When we can make an atom bomb, we can make every thing.
It is just a matter of will.
@Mohammd Ali Siddiqui: we cannot even build a technology to keep the lights and air conditioners on! - please grow up
It is just amazing! Our brave soldiers just got beheaded by the TTP coming across from afghanistan and we get droned by the US !! What is our army doing? Why don't we shoot down the drones or counter-attack. Where is 40% of our budget to the armed forces going? Big question to PTI supporters: Why is IK quite about this daily drone strikes? He had been forefront in protesting against the drone attack before when there werent that many drone attacks.. Where has he gone?
Pakistan does not take any action against terrorists on its soil enjoying safe havens. If the host country is not taking any action then the target country has every right to take them out. This is simply survival of the fittest; if the terrorists are not killed they would keep killing our innocents. These terrorists have taken the kids of FATA hostage and refusing basic healthcare to them. They do not approve the education for little girls and now depriving them of basic vaccination!
This must be condemned and the protest should be lodged with US. This is a clear voilation of national territorial integrity and no explaination can corroborate their stance. The government must explain the nation on what grounds they have allowed a drone to come and fire at suspected militants. Pakistan should take this matter on highest level and all measures must be taken to stop this forthwith.
@Pakistani Hindu: pakistani govt is always demanding end to drone strikes..no one listens to them though....
Less militants for the army to fight.
@rashid...its enough to say ApparentlyUSA doesnt saw... The rest is merely embarassing.
The only solution to stop the US drone attacks is:
Pakistan should build a technology which should direct the US fired missile from the drone to change its direction, follow the drone and then finally attack back the drone and destroy it in the air.
You will never see Pakistani armed forces condemning the drone strikes.. because these attacks are carried out with the cooperation of ISI and Pak Army. Only our corrupt politicians and illiterate people call drone strikes as being illegal.
Apparently USA drone doesn't saw 100+ terrorists crossing afghan border and attacking Pakistan few days ago. While American drone can saw a group of 5-10 terrorists. What an irony, shows the double game of USA w.r.t Pakistan