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The United States does not as a rule confirm drone attacks, but its military and the
Central Intelligence Agency operating in Afghanistan are the only forces that deploy the
aircraft in the region.
Officials in Washington say drone strikes are highly effective in the war against Al-Qaeda
and its allies, killing a number of high-value targets, including the Pakistani Taliban’s
founding father Baitullah Mehsud.
The leadership of the Haqqani network, which is linked to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, is
also based in North Waziristan.
It has been accused of plotting some of the deadliest attacks on US troops in
Afghanistan, including a suicide bombing that killed seven CIA operatives at a US base in
Khost last December.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said recently it would reject any overtures seeking to allow
the drone campaign to be expanded outside the tribal areas, amid US press reports that
Washington was seeking to expand the areas inside Pakistan where the pilot less aircraft
could operate.
The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for a number of arson and gun attacks
on Nato supply convoys destined for Afghanistan, saying they are in revenge for the
drone war.
Washington has attempted to soothe anti-Americanism that is rife throughout Pakistan
with increased civilian aid to help the country overcome devastating summer floods,
balancing that with its huge military donations. (Dawn)
A deal to open new export markets for Afghan products, by creating a tax-free transit
corridor to India through Pakistan, is lopsided and may cement Islamabad’s resented grip
on the Afghan economy, traders and officials say.
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