Peshawar—Continuing with their killing spree, the American pilotless
planes killed more than a dozen tribesmen and critically wounded 8
others in South Waziristan agency on Friday morning. Another missile
attack on a Madrassa in Montoi area in Ladha Tehsil, however missed
the target.
Official sources said missiles were fired at the office of commander
Mufti Noor Wali, said to be a close aide of Baitullah Mehsud in a
remote Mochi Khel area of Sarokai sub division, at 9:00 am killing
at least thirteen inmates. Sources said there was no foreigner among
the victims.
The locals and the eyewitness, however, said most of those killed in
the deadly attack by the US drones, which fired at least three
hellfire missiles on the compound, were the local tribals and not
the militants. Some eight people also sustained serious wounds and
the condition of at least four injured was stated to critical.
Sources said the building was also razed to ground.
The local Taliban soon after the incident cordoned off the area and
shifted the injured to private medical clinics for treatment. The
death figure may rise further as several people were trapped under
the debris, sources said.
However, commander Mufti Noor Wali who is known for giving severe
punishment to “criminals” narrowly escaped the attack, said the
officials. He had left his office minutes before the strike to
attend a peace jirga in the same locality.
All the victims of the Friday deadly attack by the so-called friends
of Pakistan were the civilians and not the militants,” the
independent sources quoting the infuriated tribals and the residents
told Observer adding the sentiments of resentment and anguish
against the tribals ran very high. The tribals according to sources
said suck kind of attacks were not only adding to strong hatred
among the Americans but also the pro government tribals.
Another missile hit a Madrassa at Mantoi in Tehsil Ladha South
Waziristan, however no casualty was reported. The building of the
seminary was completely destroyed in the attack.
The political administration has confirmed the missile attacks and
said that investigation is underway to ascertain the number of
causalities.
A deadly missile attack by the notorious US drones, in Ladha sub
division SWA, a week earlier, it may be recalled , had left more
than 60 people dead and many others injured. The drone had first
struck at an alleged militants hideout killing few people and then
fired hell fire missiles at the funeral procession of the victims
killing around 50 more people.
According to rough estimates the US has killed more than 300 people
mostly innocent civilians through drone attacks in Waziristan
agencies this year.
