Possible resumption of drone strikes; Pakistan warns US
10 January, 2012
ISLAMABAD: In its reiteration over drone attacks, Foreign Office Monday strongly opposed any violation of its aerial space or sovereignty.
Commenting on the reports regarding resumption of US drone attacks, Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit told, "We have always expressed our serious reservations and concerns over drone strikes. "
The spokesman further said that Pakistan can never condone violation of its sovereignty. He made it clear that any such move would be opposed.
Almost after two months lull in the drone attacks, certain media reports, while citing US official sources, are hinting at restart of the attacks.
Since incident of November 26 when NATO forces raided two Pakistani posts and killed 24 soldiers and injured 16 others the attacks were seemed as vanished.
The last drone attack was carried out on November 17 which had killed six suspected militants in a strike near Razmak in North Waziristan. No attack has been launched over the past two months, which is likely to be the first time since 2004 that tribal areas witnessed a break in drone attacks for so a long time.
The incident of November 26 triggered countrywide reaction in Pakistan. After the raids Islamabad ordered US to vacate Shamsi base, believed to be operative stations of drones in Pakistan's Balochistan, besides blocking supplies to NATO in Afghanistan via Pakistan.
The government had also called in an envoy conference to review its foreign policy and its relations with US and NATO. But the government says that the parliament would take final decision on such issues and the decision is in process.
Pakistani Army has authorised its local commanders deployed near the Afghan border to retaliate to any future incursions by Nato forces. What would be the reaction of Pakistan if such a situation like drone attacks is emerged in the present situation is not very much clear as condemnation or showing concerns was continuing for the last five years.
When contacted Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Athar Abbas declined commenting on the reports, saying that at the moment nothing could be said in this connection.
Official sources on condition of anonymity said that unilateral action on part of US as far as drone attacks are concerned, is impossible.
So far Pakistani tribal areas have witnessed 283 drone attacks killing over 2,000 people besides injuring thousands of others and causing heavy damages to properties.
According to latest media reports, US spy drones were hovering over North Waziristan area along Afghan border. A break in drone attack was noticed but such flights over Pakistani tribal areas seldom stopped in the past two months.
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