US has said that it has cut back on the number of drone strikes in Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
We welcome this step because lower civilian casualties can only be a good thing, however, the question whether drone strikes should be allowed at all still remains. The matter, so far, has, of course, been quite muddled, with those in charge at home saying one thing and the US, something else altogether. According to a leaked government document, “Details of Attacks by Nato Forces/Predators in Fata”, Pakistan authorities were aware of the scores of civilians killed in drone strikes from 2006 to late 2009. Ninety-four of the 746 people killed were innocent children. A total of 174 civilians were killed. The report, damningly, shows that the numbers of civilian deaths quoted by the UN, leaked US intelligence documents, the US administration — that not more than 50-60 non-combatants have been killed over the years — and the media were all far less than the actual deaths in a number of attacks.
Citing a specific incident, the report talks about how in 2006, as many as 80 children were killed in a drone strike on a madrassa. While the media also reported on the high number of civilian casualties, regrettably, authorities downplayed the incident, calling the report exaggerated, thereby not even acknowledging the deaths of these precious children.
The matter is expected to be a key topic in the upcoming visit of Senator John Kerry. Hopefully, whatever agreement the powers that be finalise on drone strikes — the current government continues to maintain drone strikes are counterproductive and demand an end to them, while the US says armed drones will continue to patrol the border — will be transparent and the practice that follows will not be a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2013.
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A closer look at the report suggests that attacks where large numbers of civilians died may NOT have been due to drone attacks but to attacks by Pakistan's own armed forces. The Chenagai airstrike is a prime example. Pakistan originally claimed credit for the strike and long insisted that the casualties were militants. This story was backed up by reports of Pakistani Army helicopters in the area before and after. When it became clear that large numbers of civilians died the story was changed to make it out to a drone strike. No one bothered to think of how a drone firing a missile with an eighteen-pound warhead, usually employed to kill 4-8 Taliban or al Qaeda at a time, somehow managed to kill eighty civilians.
@unbelievable: You have nailed it. 'Who are the civilians and what is their relation to the targeted terrorist'.
One reads many reports of drone attacks but those reports always indicate that bad guys are killed. The reports indicating that civilians are killed tend to come from overseas studies from people who never bothered to even visit the tribal territories. Now we have a "secret study" that indicates civilians have been killed but nothing that allows you to put those deaths in context. Who are the civilians and what is their relation to the targeted terrorist - are they family members who are living in the militant compound - are they innocent people who lived in nearby housing? Why haven't any names ever been assigned to the innocent victims - why haven't any pictures ever been provided? In todays World where everyone has a cell phone with camera it's hard to believe that the alleged slaughter of innocents can go on for so many years without anyone providing a single photo. . Isn't there a journalist somewhere in Pakistan that can do the leg work and produce an in- depth study of drone attacks?
After Gen Mush signed agreements and even gave Pakistani bases for drone flights we have only two options put up or shut up. Obviously after finding and killing OBL and many known high value targets the US interest is diminishing as they are running out of targets. The US job is done and they are leaving from the region. Their only interest would be to keep the terrorists away from taking over Kabul. Hence the presence of several thousand advisers and the potential use of drones and smart missiles from the sea.
If I were the PM..... +++++++++++++++++++ based on the massive unleashing of violence eg the Parchinar Bomings i would seek more extensive and frequent Drones and not less.
US will continue to use drones to take terrorists out whether Pakistan agrees or not. The only negotiation possible maybe on the parameters of the drone strikes.
Since when does Pakistan exhibit "Sovereign Control" over the FATA region so that "Safe Havens" where the GOOD TALIBAN rule are eliminated! By the way, I hope that during his visit Senator (Not Secretary of State?) John Kerry asks the government about the details of the (many?) agreements the government signed with the Good Taliban "assets" of the state over the years!