US drone does it again

MISSILE strikes by two US spy planes on Damadola village in Bajaur Agency on Wednesday have added to the woes of the democratic Government which is already confronted with many challenges. The dastardly attack which killed more than a dozen people and injured many others has sent a wave of anger among the people of Pakistan particularly the affectees and people of FATA.
The missile attacks coincided with the swap of prisoners between the Government and Baitullah Mehsud led militants in South Waziristan Agency. Earlier too the United States had been violating Pakistan’s sovereignty by similar attacks and intrusions into its air space on one pretext or the other thus increasing anti-American feelings. Even if there were some militants in the area, Pakistani security forces could have been passed on the information to take action. Reports from Bajaur said the spy planes had been hovering over the town for the past two days and during Wednesday’s attack they fired two missiles destroying a house, an adjacent mosque and a guest house. The latest attack was definitely aimed at subverting the process of talks to persuade militants to give up attacks on security forces and release the hostages. NATO spokesman in Brussels the other day also said that the number of violent incidents in the east of Afghanistan, overseen by the US and NATO troops have increased by fifty per cent above the same time last year. He said the NATO concern is that the deals struck by Pakistan Government and extremist groups in tribal areas may be allowing them to have a safe haven. These are very serious charges against Pakistan and the missile attacks are aimed at subverting the peace efforts. It is a routine on the part of the Americans and the NATO that they keep on blaming Pakistan for allegedly supporting the Taliban or they have save havens in FATA. We again urge the Government that a strong protest be lodged with the United States over the violation of our airspace and that they should not add to the problems the newly elected Government is already pitted against.