Drone Strikes Militants In North Waziristan Pakistan

Drone Strikes Militants In North Waziristan Pakistan

Three women and five children among 25 people were killed while several others injured in a US drone attack on a compound in North Waziristan, Geo News reported.

North Waziristan Agency has been the main target of these attacks since 2009. Perhaps, this is because that, US has been pressurizing Pakistan to launch a military operation in this agency. US believes that Haqqani network is operative in the area which also supports the Afghan Taliban, embattling the US and NATO forces, occupying Afghanistan.

In a recent statement on March 18, 2011, General David Petraeus, ISAF commander, has once again stressed Islamabad to launch a military operation in North Waziristan. He said that, “The fact is that it’s hugely important that there’s a campaign in Northern Waziristan that is putting enormous pressure on the Al-Qaeda sanctuaries there.”

Pakistan, however, had a different point of view and believes that, any military actions on its territory has to be undertaken, keeping ground realities in view. After all Pakistan cannot kill its masses on the desires of a foreign power.

Prime Minister and Army Chief, General Kayani has condemned the attack and sent strong messages to US for stoppage of such acts in the Pakistani territory.  US ambassador in Pakistan, Cameron Munter was summoned in the Foreign Office and handed over a demarche on the drone attack in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan by Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.

Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state which cannot take any irresponsible step to stop US Predator attacks. We are, however, confident that we will be able to persuade the world and the US to stop the drone attacks as they affect attempts to isolate militants from non-combatants,” Mr Gilani said during a first-ever live telecast from the Prime Minister’s House.

As a new wave of anti-Americanism is sweeping across the country, the ruling alliance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and tribal regions has joined hands with the opposition and politico-religious parties in condemning the US for continuing drone attacks in Pakistan. All mainstream political parties plan on accelerating their anti-US campaigns in Peshawar this month, cashing in on public support against drone attacks.

So far Imran Khan, the chief of the Tehrik-e-Insaf, is fast emerging as a hero, riding on the crest of anti-American wave fast sweeping across the province. Khan, who is said to be backed by the establishment against the PML-N, announced last month that his party would stage a two-day sit-in in Peshawar on April 23-24.

US would continue following its policy of dictating its own terms and conditions. It can target any one; militant or otherwise, at anytime and anywhere, without taking Pakistan into confidence. Under such a situation, “Relations are bad and will get worse and will take away from the war on terror. The Americans need to respect us.” There have been 19 drone attacks in North Waziristan, since January 1, 2011, killing more than 95 people.