The writer has a master’s degree in Security and Intelligence Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. He works on the Peshawar desk of The Express Tribune
At the end, some concluded that this was a US plot to disrupt potential peace talks with the TTP. Regardless of the timing of the strike, eliminating Hakimullah should have been welcomed, considering that he was an enemy of the state. Unmanned aerial systems have proven by far to be the best tool against terrorists hiding in very hostile environments and precision strikes must be employed.
If Pakistan was really so concerned about drone strikes and their counterproductiveness, authorities should have investigated every strike that has taken place since 2004. At least, we would have had more reliable numbers and details on who was getting killed and the exact number of terrorists being eliminated. But instead, all there’s been are hollow public outrage and demonstrations against the strikes, mostly for domestic political consumption. The recent disclosures by the Washington Post show that contrary to popular belief, the state had at times fully endorsed drone strikes. Which is fine, since they keep terrorists constantly on the move and reduce their ability to plan and execute spectacular attacks.
Opposition to drone strikes has created this false public discourse of such strikes causing ‘excessive’ civilians deaths. Yes, civilians have been killed, but there has been no investigation since 2004 of how many. Even the Amnesty International (AI) report on drone strikes in Pakistan titled “Will I be next?” explicitly pointed out that AI “does not have comprehensive data on the total number of US drone strikes … and is in no position to endorse the findings of others”.
Discrediting the use of drones, which is an exceptionally precise counterterrorism tool, based on incomplete information is of itself a hollow premise to discount them.
Because of drones, al Qaeda’s core has been diminished and the TTP’s cadres are left to attack soft targets, mostly civilians and inept state institutions like the police and prisons.
We are losing this war. Terrorists have found enough space to influence the mainstream narrative of society and have convinced the state that they are a force to be reckoned with. On whose authority is the TTP negotiating peace?
It was horrid to see an ‘analyst’ and a former foreign minister in a TV talk show pleading with the TTP to, at least, spare us during Muharram. It made it sound as if it’s okay to kill innocents during the rest of the year.
While I symapthise with Manama Bibi and other civilians killed in drone strikes as highlighted by AI, a few interviews from a few civilians doesn’t justify gross generalisations.
Counterterrorism is a messy business. To terrorists, we’re all targets and they have killed thousands of Pakistanis in cold blood. Don’t criticise drone strikes unless you have a better way to target terrorists who hide amongst civilians in the first place. These terrorists kill civilians with malicious intent; drones kill civilians by tragic chance.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (26)
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@jilal: I'll try this again since ET didn't post my previous response.... drones alone will not eliminate terrorists from Pakistan. The far reach of radical elements has proven a challenge for non radicals to tackle and that mentality has to be eradicated, which is no overnight task. Drones are meant to kill known terrorists, not eliminate the mentality from which said terrorists are born. And while I'm opposed to foreign intervention, unfortunately there is nothing being done by Pakistan's government/army to handle the situation thus foreign entities take it upon themselves to attempt to handle the situation.
@Ghostrider: Whereas others who get killed, maimed or live in constant terror do, of course? Your world must be a very simple and very narrow one indeed.
@csmann: Dear csmann, Once again you have missed the main point. If the Taliban are the legitimate government of Afghanistan, who are the terrorists?
but the Taliban will still be around. Hopefully not to murder another 50,000 Pakistanis
It should be remembered that the US attacked the Taliban first. The Taliban are merely defending themselves. The Americans can send themselves broke sending drones over, but the Taliban will still be around.
@Stranger:
How many times are you going to repeat the same old tired pun? Utterly stupid and really pathetic.
The DRONE - the new national bird of Pakistan.
@asm123:
No problem, Just ask the government to put a GPS transponder in your nose (or you can find another comfortable spot in your body, if you like), show up in FATA where chidlren are playing in the playground of a madrassa, look for any one older than 16 with a beard and lay your life down for God, Country and a Fistful of dollar!
I have never seen a more shameless nation than ours who show no remorse for the killing of their innocent brothers and sisters by another country under the euphemism "high value targets". When you are young, indoctrinated, boiling with rage and drunk with the power of the joysick sitting in the operation control room in Arizona desert and your screen savers all blink "We Will Never Forget", everyone on screen in our poor nation looks like an High Value Target. Turkey shoot time!
Amen!
@Usman Masood: chance of a TTP terrorist hitting near your house is thousand times more than a drone(and that only in infested areas by TTP).And you can rest assured that if a drone hits,there were terrorists there already to blow up your house. You have your right to empathize with murderers,and declaring them martyrs.Not everybody.
Hopefully, next time the terrorist will be hiding close to your house. And when you and your family suffer, you will perhaps maybe feel empathy towards innocent humans who lost their lives.
I would rather be killed by a drone strike that took out a few TTP animals as well rather than be beheaded by a dull blade used by some bearded fundamentalist.
Okay Einstein, here is how it goes: A drone from a longterm "friend" and "non Nato Ally" spewing foam from the mouth in rage and revenge, drops a bomb at a house; it kills ten people, only one of which may be a "high value target", euphemism for all males 16 years and over with a beard. The Pathans get infuriated; they declare revenge like their US comrades have, although it should have been against the Saudis but there are obvious problems with that scenario. They can't shoot the drones because their old friend has taken all the stingers back that they had given to the Mujahidins to fight the ungodly Russians to defend their honour against infidels who believed neither in Christ, the Saviour, nor in the holy scriptures. So take their wrath out, using ammonium nitrate, on innocent Pakistanis who, by virtue of their government's shameful silence and tacit approval, are complicit in their murder. TTP finds new recruits and mutters more inanities about Sharia'h, this that and the other. Terrorism spreads, people get afraid, investors run away, politicians got to Jeddah for Umrah then Harrod's for shopping, come back and call yet another APC to develop yet another "national consensus" on drones. Rinse and repeat the cycle! Unfortunately, Imran Khan has spoiled this game.
I have never come across a more hopelessly pathetic group of "intellectuals" than we find in our media but then again cheap, mediocre, ego driven, talk boxes and Punjabi Sartres is all we can produce!
Excellent article which I completely support.....if we are not able or willing to take out these animals, then I'm glad someone is....and yes, while I in NO way condone the loss of innocent lives to drones it is absolutely deplorable, I still think its far better than the truck/car/motorcycle/suicide bombings perpetrated by these crazies which kill dozens of innocents.
If you want drone strikes to stop, the Government must grow a pair and take back its territory. The analogy is simple, if my servant starts throwing garbage in the neighbors house, the neighbor will ask me to control him, if I don't he is going to come into my house and beat my servant up. Its our job to manage how our territory is used.
@Palvasha von Hassell: author's family wont be supporting terrorists or living with them
Yes they should be droned. But i think the ownership should be taken by Pakistan. Pakistan Army recently inducted drones in it's parphernalia. Its time to use these. The drones should have a Pakistani signature on them to make them acceptable to the Public.
What complete balderdash! Would the author like an area where his family and friends were living to be droned? Absolutely horrifying, inhumane spin from a robotic world!
All Pakistan's political parties have a consensus on this issue but people you are the source of confusion and then you call Imran Khan as spreading confusion.
US should continue using drones in pakistan. it is beneficial to all including india.
@jilal, so basically what you are saying is once the drones stop, the terrorism will stop?? we are talking about people who slaughter humans just because they don't share their viewpoint and then play football with the severed heads.We are talking about people who think that mehsud, after all that he has done, is a martyr. Argument here could be that "you have probably not lost anyone in a drone attack",my reply," those protesting against drones have probably not lost anyone to these animals!!". Should they be given a free hand to do whatever they want? slaughter some more? blast some more innocent lives?
Burden of proof for effectiveness of drone attack is on people like you and USA not the people who condemn drone attack since it is you guys who claim its effectiveness even though you admit you do not have enough information. If you do not have enough information, then how can you call it effective and yet you have audacity to claim opponent of drone attack are basing their opinion on incomplete information. Btw Israel army uses the same argument as yours when it kill people. Moreover your argument that drone attack has been effective in reducing terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan has no evidence Probably that is why coalition forces would like to talk with Afghan Taliban.
People like Hakimullah don't operate on their own,they are the front of something very powerful.The moment people like him forget this fact or try to become too independent,they are removed from the scene.
Agrreeed...same views....
PTI/JI and IK are thinking ahead.Seeing that TTP is getting stronger by the day,and its propaganda machine has been fooling more and more Pakistanis to its side,they want to assure their place in the next government which will be Taliban-predominant if not Talibanic exclusively.Isn't it ironic-though Pakistan is full of Ironies ,anyway- that Taliban can kill Pakistanis at will,and still be getting popular in proportion.A collective death-wish of sorts.
If only 10% of pakistanis thought this way, we would have been a different country. Drones kill terrorists and SOME unfortunate civilians, so they start protesting against drones.Terrorists kill innocent civilains ONLY, how can/do we protest against them?? i agree, DRONE EM' ALL.
One simple question...as the drones have increased and these terrorists eliminated,have you seen terrorism in Pakistan increase or decrease?