US drones killed 2,200 in Pakistan: Islamabad

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

US drone strikes on Pakistani soil over the past decade have claimed the lives of some 2,200 people, Press TV quotes Islamabad

According to figures presented in a report by Pakistani lawmakers, 2,199 people have been killed and 282 others injured in the US drone attacks in Pakistan.

Nearly 210 houses and 60 vehicles have also reportedly been damaged.

The families of 43 of the dead and seven of those injured have received compensation so far, according to the report.

However, rights activists say Islamabad has not revealed the actual number of deaths, which many say is more than 3,000 and possibly as many as 4,000.

“The majority of the people who got killed were the citizens of Pakistan and I don’t think that this [report] is a final truth. There are still numbers that are out there and I hope those numbers also come out and that will push this number of 2,200 to a much higher numerical level,” political analyst Tariq Pirzada said.
Islamabad has so far failed to provide accurate information regarding the identity of those killed in the drone strikes.

Although evidence on the ground indicates civilians are the main victims of the strikes over the years, the Pakistani government reports that most of those killed are militants.

Islamabad has also said it cannot determine the actual number of civilian deaths as a result of its ongoing ground and air offensives against the militants in the tribal areas.

The Pakistani government has been criticized for allowing the US to carry out its illegal drone strikes near the country’s border with Afghanistan.

The aerial attacks, initiated by former US president, George W. Bush in 2004, have been escalated under President Barack Obama.

Obama has defended the use of the controversial drones as “self-defense.” Washington claims the targets of the drone attacks are militants.

The United Nations and several human rights organizations have identified the US as the world’s number-one user of “targeted killings,” largely due to its drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

PressTV-‘US drones killed 2,200 in Pakistan’

 

[OrionHunter]

A large majority of those killed were most likely terrorist yahoos.

 

[C130]

probably pales in comparison to how many terrorists have killed innocents in bombing markets,mosques, and military checkpoints.

 

[Dalit]

A large majority of those killed were most likely terrorist yahoos.

Yep, let's just press buttons based on assumptions.

probably pales in comparison to how many terrorists have killed innocents in bombing markets,mosques, and military checkpoints.

Still no justification for killing innocent folks. Without a doubt, innocent people have been killed in drone strikes.

This is a very dark leaf in US and Pak history. One that cannot be erased very easily.

 

[C130]

Yep, let's just press buttons based on assumptions.



Still no justification for killing innocent folks. Without a doubt, innocent people have been killed in drone strikes.

This is a very dark leaf in US and Pak history. One that cannot be erased very easily.

true. but not like these strikes are meant to attack innocent people in the first place. to prevent and reduce collateral damage is the main priority over even killing a terrorist leader.


terrorists commit attacks on innocents knowingly and purposely.

 

[ghoul]

The number is too few. And America only killed the anti-American terrorists, yet accused the Pakistanis of having a "good taliban, bad taliban" policy.

 

[Dalit]

true. but not like these strikes are meant to attack innocent people and to prevent and reduce collateral damage is the main priority over even killing a terrorist leader.


terrorists commit attacks on innocents knowingly and purposely.

No one is arguing about terrorist attacks. Whatever heinous crimes the terrorists carry out is highly condemnable and the harshest possible action should be taken. Although, it's a simple fact that a wrong doesn't make a right.

On the other hand, we cannot justify US drone strikes based on intelligence which could be faulty. This has been the case, not just inside Pakistan, but Afghanistan and elsewhere. Not to even mention that the drone strikes are carried out without the approval of the Pakistani government. Mind you, a sovereign nation. We have had that discussion a million times before so I'll just leave it at that. It's a contentious issue we'll likely never agree on.

 

[Daneshmand]

And? Just mentioning Iran is not sectarian.

Saying fvck, fvck Iran, by a member known to be a sectarian takfiri is.

If you do not want to seeit then it is ok. In the thread, they were calling Pakistani Shias, fifth column and spies.

I guess sectarian term is only for us, in your jargon.

PS. When you ask a question, and raise a point, then do not close down a thread before giving the other person the chance to respond. This is called honesty and integrity.

 

[SQ8]

Saying fvck, fvck Iran, by a member known to be a sectarian takfiri is.
.

No it isnt, its your own bias that sees it that way. In addition, he just posted an image of a tweet. Please learn to state the fact rather than twist them as you see them.. that is actual honesty and integrity.
I have no time for further discussions on this.

 

[Daneshmand]

No it isnt, its your own bias that sees it that way. In addition, he just posted an image of a tweet. Please learn to state the fact rather than twist them as you see them.. that is actual honesty and integrity.
I have no time for further discussions on this.

Oh, you mean, it is ok to post pictures of most vile variety and start a thread on its basis.

I am sure you did not even bother to go through the thread and see the sectarian language used.

It is ok. As I said. You are not capable of understanding it. Obviously. I do not intend to take it further than this.

 

[ArsalanKhan21]

Whats the use of Pakistan Armed Forces that consume 40% of the budget when they cannot stop drone strikes in Pakistan ! Oh yes ! Pakistan Army is also busy in military actions in their own country killing fellow citizens.

 

[Dalit]

Whats the use of Pakistan Armed Forces that consume 40% of the budget when they cannot stop drone strikes in Pakistan ! Oh yes ! Pakistan Army is also busy in military actions in their own country killing fellow citizens.

I have said this before and I will reiterate this point again. Terrorists i.e. militant groups trying to challenge the writ of the state cannot be tolerated. I don't care whatever shape or form they come in. These elements need to be removed by all means necessary. Every inch of Pak territory needs to be under the full control of the state.

Having said that, we have to understand the subtleties of the delicate situation. The dire reality is that the people of the tribal areas have been neglected by the state for decades. This is our mistake and our shortcoming. These people and the entire area needs to be reintegrated with the rest of Pakistan. On the other hand, the militant groups need to be defeated at all cost. Pakistan has failed miserably by tacitly approving drone strikes. This has backfired badly and shaken the confidence of the ordinary tribal folks. As a result innocent people have died and this has adversely affected the war against various anti-Pakistan militant groups.

The only way is to win the hearts and minds of ordinary tribal folks. They are just as much Pakistanis like the rest of us. Everything must be done to restore their situation. We have to reclaim what is ours.

 

[Daneshmand]

Whats the use of Pakistan Armed Forces that consume 40% of the budget when they cannot stop drone strikes in Pakistan ! Oh yes ! Pakistan Army is also busy in military actions in their own country killing fellow citizens.

My understanding is, the drone strikes happen with complicity of Pakistan Armed Forces.

And the Takfiri people who do not even accept the existence and legitimacy of country of Pakistan, and are in an armed conflict with it are not technically your citizens anymore. They are your enemy.

Clean up the filth.

 

[Samandri]

Illegal drone strikes?.........They are carried out with consent and help of Pakistani military. In zarb-e-azab we saw full cooperation and coordination between Pakistani forces and American drone strikes. There is always the great chance of collateral damage when you strike missiles on congested cities like Miranshah, MirAli and Wana still mostly Taliban and Al-Qaida were killed in drone strikes, 2200 is very small number compared to the number of people killed in military operations and Taliban's attacks.

 

[Kabira]

Whats the use of Pakistan Armed Forces that consume 40% of the budget when they cannot stop drone strikes in Pakistan ! Oh yes ! Pakistan Army is also busy in military actions in their own country killing fellow citizens.

16% not 40%.