Foreign office says drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
DI KHAN: Mullah Sangeen Zadran, the second-in-command to the Haqqani Network chief Sirajuddin Haqqani was killed in a US drone strike in Ghullam Khan area of North Waziristan last night.
Local tribal and intelligence sources confirmed Zadran’s killing to The Express Tribune.
His death was announced through loud-speakers in local mosques during Friday prayers, and special prayers were also held for him.
Zadran, 45, hailed from the Zadran tribe in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. He was a popular leader and played an influential role in bringing together militants from banned outfits, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), al Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban.
According to the US Department of State website, Zadran was designated a global terrorist by the US government, blocking all property within US jurisdiction and barring US persons from engaging in any transaction with him.
The website states Zadran was the shadow governor of Paktika province and facilitated attacks across southern Afghanistan. He is also believed to have planned and coordinated infiltration of militants into that country and linked to several IED attacks and kidnapping of foreigners in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He was among the six killed after missiles fired from a drone struck al Qaeda’s Nawab camp. Four others were also injured in the attack. The deceased include Jordanians Muhammad Abu Bilal Al-Khurrasani and Abu Dogana Al-Khairrasani, both allegedly al Qaeda members, Zubair, an Egyptian also an alleged al Qaeda member, and locals Arshad Dawar and Ajmal Dawar.
Pakistan protests drone strike
Pakistan on Friday condemed the drone strike in Ghulam Khan tehsil of North Waziristan.
A statement released by the Foreign Ministry, reiterated Pakistan's stance that "these unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes."
"The Government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications. Such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations."
The statement added that the strikes "have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region."
COMMENTS (46)
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Here is the document by terrorists telling of ways to avoid drones.One of them is to get the public opinion against their use,the same public they are killing on the other hand. http://hosted.ap.org/specials/interactives/international/pdfs/al-qaida-papers-drones.pdf
Unfortunately Taliban has too many symapthizers and apologists to legitimize their murderous agenda. One of the strategies to avoid drones propagated by Al-Qaida and Taliban is propaganda to get the gullible population to raise hue and cry. They are succeeding to an extent.
@ Sexton blake , I don't know your nationality even then I wish to respect your views in principle on the issue since the drone use is an opem violation of UN charter . But the question is why security council is failing to take action against the violaters . It is perhaps all the five permanent members and majority of temporary members are also suffering from the menace of international terrorism . The issues remained unresolved at the floor of UN like Israeil issue and Kashmir issue has been attempted to resolve on the street by providing arms to the terrorists . In such a sena rio UN is inert and Drnes are active . Vito power is seems to be in hybernation for the time being .
Once again they committed sovereignity violation. strong protest is expected on behalf of the country's leadership. Neverthink they will not use their vital tool,they use. No doubt,international law repeatedly violated,United Nations should take notice of it.
legitimat campaign.
ONe more drone happened claimed five live,no militant among them all are civilian Pakistani government is preparing statement recording its strong statement.
This is not my personal view, it is a international law and global law says , '' Any military strike without United Nations's approval would be an aggression.
In the light this law unanimously passed by the world nations, American action is a open violation of the united nations charter.
The fact is that continuty of drones attacks is a part of punitive action agaist Pakistan's svereignty but going on, why????????????it is question arising out in the mind of common man.
WASHINGTON: Al Qaeda’s leaders have set up cells of engineers to try to shoot down, disable or hijack US drones, The Washington Post reported late Tuesday citing top-secret US intelligence documents.
Report is baseless, groundless and mindless,in fact the report is part of the police,pretext is being made to increase such attacks with justification .
Al-qaeeda has no huge sources to make such plan of super technology The report is a part campaign.Quarters concerned want to extend pace to more aggression.
American foreign minister visited Pakistan had meeting with Pakistani leadership had discussion on bilateral relation including the drones attack.He assured drones are no more.
Our print media published this news converted into head lines,our electronic media released the statment making subject it important programm.
Now the result before you drone crime once again committed ,in fact secret dealing is underway and will remained stand untill unless withdrawal is not completed of the American and Nato forces in Afghanistan has been stationed there since long.
United Nation is silent spectator. Every government or party in power has been limited to protest nothing did prectical. drones are continued,innocent people are dying property being destroyed. What is doing matter is considerable. In fact,there is secret dealing on it. YOU DO WE SAY NEVER MIND>
@Dr.A.K.Tewari: If you are correct in relation to Pakistan/Indian views about drone use, it gives a fairly good indication of their lack of intellectual development.
@rome: Shoot down, did you say? What will follow has to be imagined. Use brains my friend.
According to an on line survey conducted by NESCO , about 72% Pakistani are now in fevour of Drone strike to eliminate the menace of terrorism in the entire region . About 95% Indian also wants to deal with these animals with modern weapons . Majority of Indian muslims are suppirting NATO actions in Afghanistan and Pakistan .
Wishful thinking
USA will do everything to jeopardize peace efforts by Pakistan and its army.
Thanks a lot, Drone!
Drones are taking out the bad guys.Why oppose them.?.
Thanks, Drone.
@Salman: there is an understanding you strike drones killing the militants . We will condemn the strike. Surely one question is raised in the mind.. How come that USA is able to know the movement s of the militants . Don't you think there is ground support . Who are the?
THe only good Taliban is a dead Taliban.
Keep complaining about the drones while harboring terrorists. A perfect recipe.
@umar: Many TTP leaders have indeed been killed by drones including Baitullah.
In case, drones are violation of international law, United nation should take notice of it and warne the country vilating the global law. If drones are vilation of svereignity of the country,the leader ship should protest but not in old ways ,new ways must be adopted.
Americans tell you what you want to hear and you guys accept it as fact. Do we ever get names. Even children that have been killed are labeled as militants. You heartless freaks need to have drones flying over your head to make you understand what is happening. The US simply seeks to keep destabilizing Pakistan and this farce that somehow killing low level militants will eliminate the problem, well you people better be ready to die for another decade.
Pakistan requested for drone technology but refused, Pakistan requested for civil nuclear technology for over come its on going power crisis,but refused what knid of friendship non understandable.
The extent of the success of drone strike can be judged by the intensity of the reaction in Pakistan. They have two types of recorded messages which they release after each strike depending upon how effective it was. This is a major setback to the terrorists. Thanks a drone!
Al Qaida is hiring engineers to develop technology to shoot down drones...
Thanks God another terrorist is eliminated.
It is quite naive to take things as complete black and white (to say that one side is an angel, and the other side is all evil, to be exterminated)Read History before commenting....
Not the right proportion of 'shock & awe' not producing the desired outcomes
I drone strikes kills a one Haqani Leader (not sure) and creating hundred of more leaders. This pain can be felt only by the victim of drone strikes. Understand the reality.
I cant see any improvement in condition by drone strikes. All I can see the hatred from the people of tribal areas against Pakistan which is obviously damaging all of us.
Federal govt should help the KPK govt by taking strong stand against these strikes if they really want peace..
God bless the United States of America. I think its time the American angels shine some light on Hafeez Saeed, Hamid Gul etc. Inshallah, very soon!
@Pakistani: By your criteria the daily killing of scores of civilians by these terrorists should be producing 100 times more terrorists. Stop being apologists for murderers.
Offff Imran will be weeping now because an innocent strategic asset was killed by the drone.
Pakistan always does only one thing very strongly.... condemn... LOL. NO leadership... no vision... just like hoard of sheep we are being hit and manoeuvred. very sad indeed.
@rome: They don't have the capacity. Stop dreaming, face the reality. Focus on education.
it was not the 2nd attack on same day, but sangeen top commander latter confirmed in the attack. actually he is killed in last night drone attack mean the same attack 1st one. plz check little bit and don't try to be the 1st.
Don't know what's the criteria of the government. Drones look very productive to me.
Each strike kills the leader by this count they have kill more than 3000 leaders. Are they sure they kill the leader . because as the defination goes leader is just one person :P
Good work.plz keep doing more
I wonder if the drones come in the nightmare of every extremist.
Drones will keep striking if the APC approves negotiating with TTP.
SAME words after EVERY drone
Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications.
IF Pakistan is of this view, then why don't they shoot them down is beyond me! Even America accepts and gives an excuse that a few civilians do get killed in the hunt of terrorists, but then its the life of a Pakistani only. In actual America doesn't even want terrorism to end over here, because when these drones kill civilians along with the terrorists they give birth to new terrorists. And our so called friend America is not that naive to not understand this.
why dont they just shoot Down the drones instead of always condemn it? America has not and will not listen to your weak statements.
Only condemns? what would be done then. Remember US officials now days keep an eye on news come from Syria not Pakistan.