FILE: U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan a long-running tactic

Record ID: 184842

  • Title: FILE: U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan a long-running tactic
  • Date: 6th October 2010
  • Summary: MIRANSHAH, PAKISTAN (FILE - NOVEMBER 2, 2007) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) GVs SCENE OF AFTERMATH OF MISSILE ATTACK NEAR PRO AL QAEDA MADRASSA (RELIGIOUS SCHOOL)
  • Embargoed: 21st October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA3V6K5W8LWT6Q7J4CO18V8EU8Q
  • Story Text: While U.S. air attacks in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border areas and the targeting of militant hideouts have become a rumbling source of tension between the two countries, it appears that until recently they were carried out with Islambad's tacit approval.
    The attack in September on a Pakistan border post in which three soldiers were killed and apparently carried out by NATO helicopters attempting to target militants changed the mood, with the NATO Secretary General apologising in the face of visible mounting Pakistani anger over the incursions.
    Analysts say, however, that al Qaeda's leadership, has been increasingly restrained by the use of missiles fired from drones.
    Pakistani officials detailed on Monday (October 4) the deaths of eight militants of German nationality in north-western Pakistan, killed in a suspected drone-missile attack.
    It followed travel alerts on Sunday (October 3) prompted by intelligence about a plot against European targets reportedly originating with a group of individuals in mountainous northern Pakistan, some believed to be European citizens.
    In the past CIA-operated drone attacks have often ostensibly been aimed at militant leaders, including those of the Taliban and al Qaeda.
    In November 2007 a missile fired by a drone killed five people near a pro-al Qaeda madrassa in Miranshah in Pakistan's tribal areas. The target appeared to be veteran Afghan pro-Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani.
    In May 2008 18 people were killed, including foreign militants, by missiles suspected to have been fired by U.S. drones in the village of Damadola in the Bajaur tribal region.
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