U.S. drone strikes kill 4 suspected militants in Pakistan

[News_Editor]

U.S. drone strikes kill 4 suspected militants in Pakistan

2011-08-01 20:27:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least four people were killed on Monday after suspected U.S. drone strikes launched an attack in Pakistan's volatile South Waziristan region, local media reported.

According to the Express Tribune, two missile strikes were launched from a drone in South Waziristan's Azam Warsak and targeted a vehicle. Two Pakistani officials confirmed the number of deaths although they have not yet been identified.

The last reported U.S. drone strike occurred on July 12 when dozens of suspected militants were killed during a series of strikes in 24 hours. At least 32 people were reported killed when the air strikes hit both North and South Waziristan.

The U.S. drone attacks were launched only one day after $800 million in U.S. military aid to Pakistan was delayed as increasing tensions continue between the two countries, in part because of the U.S. drone strikes.

Controversy has surrounded the drone strikes - which have amounted to over 30 this year - as local residents and officials have blamed them for killing innocent civilians and motivating young men to join the Taliban. Details about the alleged militants are usually not provided.

In June, at least seven U.S. drone strikes were conducted in South and North Waziristan, which was heavily targeted in 2010. Around 90 suspected militants were killed during the strikes.

In April, more than 40 people were killed in U.S. drone strikes in the volatile tribal region of North Waziristan, prompting thousands of Pakistanis to gather and protest against the attacks during a two-day sit-in.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in its annual report that the U.S. drone strikes were responsible for 957 extra-legal killings in 2010. Since August 2008, there have been over 250 drone attacks that have reportedly killed more than 1,500 people in North and South Waziristan.

Pakistan's Afghan border, which the United States considers to be the most dangerous place on Earth, is known to be a stronghold of the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, considered one of the top terrorist organizations and threats to U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-01

[maidu]

It's odd, we don't see Pakis protesting, when their brethren blow themselves up in their crowded marketplaces, killing dozens of women and children.

As much as they hate drones (anyone would), they seem to be ok with men and women, boys and girls (some of whom are retarded) getting strapped in to bomb belts and going out to become martyrs. Or, if they have a problem with that, why aren't they making a big fuss to put the bomb belt strapers out of business? Oh, of course, I know the reason. The people strapping bomb belts on to youngsters, are usually older men with gray beards who claim to be mouthpieces for Allah - so that makes it ok.