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The Drone Blitzkrieg in Pakistan
On 27 September NATO forces are accused of having launched airstrikes in Pakistan when insurgents reportedly struck at the posts based on "the right of self-defense." The strike killed 49 militants, claimed US Maj Michael Johnson. There was also an increase in the number of drone strikes in end of September reportedly due to an indication that terrorist groups were likely to launch attacks in Europe, “There are some pretty notable threat streams,” said one US military official. Pakistani military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas however rejected any such threats, “We don't have any information or intelligence that militants had gathered there (in North Waziristan) and were plotting attacks. There is absolutely no intelligence on that.” “Basically it's very speculative,” he said, “It's a very speculative story. It does not quote any credible source.” Never the less the increase in the number of Drone attacks was unusual.
The New America Foundation study of drone attacks in Afghanistan shows that of, “172 reported drone strikes in northwest Pakistan, including 76 in 2010, from 2004 to the present have killed approximately between 1,153 and 1,772 individuals, of whom around 842 to 1,238 were described as militants in reliable press accounts”. [Based on Peter Bergen and Katherine Tiedemann's drone’s database at the New America Foundation, see http://counterterrorism.newamerica.net/drones for more details including for tables and graph given below]. The variation in the fatalities as seen from the Tables below is over 30 percent as the report is based on media inputs. The non militant deaths are also attributed to be 30 percent in 2009 and may be even lesser in 2010 if the low figure is taken.
Estimated Total Deaths from U.S. Drone Strikes in Pakistan, 2004 - 2010
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Deaths (low)
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Deaths (high)
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2010*
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391
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658
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2009
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413
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709
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2008
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263
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296
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2004-2007
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86
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109
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Total
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1,153
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1,772
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*Through September 28, 2010
Estimated Militant Deaths from U.S. Drone Strikes in Pakistan 2004 - 2010
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Deaths (low)
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Deaths (high)
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2010*
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365
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599
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2009
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293
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405
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2008
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106
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134
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2004-2007
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78
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100
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Total
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842
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1,238
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*Through September 28, 2010
The series of air, drone helicopter strikes in Pakistan in the month of September represents a blitzkrieg in the light of a terror strike in Europe with advisories issued in many countries. 22 drone attacks were carried out up to 28 September a notable high even for the US forces. France in particular seems to be most vulnerable given the stand of the government on the Burqa issue, while the country is open to the manner in which controls are to be established the same has been seen from a religious rather than a republican perspective by Islamic terror groups who will take advantage to justify violence in the country.
This threat has resulted in an enhanced response by the ISAF and with the result some violation of air space and sovereignty of Pakistan explained away as a communication glitch also occurred. However given reluctance of the Pakistan army to target North Waziristan where a large number of groups operating in Afghanistan and with sanctuaries for training terrorists who may target Europe being there, the ISAF possibly lacked the options but to carry out a large number of attacks.
OCT 2010
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