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Pakistan Says Its Drone Killed 3 Militants Pakistan Says Its Drone Killed 3 Militants
(about 14 hours later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan said on Monday that three high-profile militants were killed in the country’s violence-plagued northwest in the first-ever strike by a locally manufactured drone. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan said on Monday that three high-profile militants had been killed in the country’s violence-plagued northwest in the first strike by a locally manufactured drone.
The drone, named Burraq, was aimed at a militant hide-out in the remote Shawal Valley, a Pakistani military spokesman said on Twitter. No details were provided about the identities of those killed.The drone, named Burraq, was aimed at a militant hide-out in the remote Shawal Valley, a Pakistani military spokesman said on Twitter. No details were provided about the identities of those killed.
Shawal, a thickly forested area in the North Waziristan tribal region, is a battleground for Pakistani troops and Taliban fighters. In June 2014, the military began an offensive, Operation Zarb-e-Azb, in the region, which had long been a haven for local and foreign militants, and has since claimed to have killed at least 3,000 insurgents. Those assertions could not be independently verified.Shawal, a thickly forested area in the North Waziristan tribal region, is a battleground for Pakistani troops and Taliban fighters. In June 2014, the military began an offensive, Operation Zarb-e-Azb, in the region, which had long been a haven for local and foreign militants, and has since claimed to have killed at least 3,000 insurgents. Those assertions could not be independently verified.
Pakistan unveiled its drone program in March and called the homemade weapon a “force multiplier” in its antiterrorism campaign. The Burraq is named after a flying horse in Islamic folklore.Pakistan unveiled its drone program in March and called the homemade weapon a “force multiplier” in its antiterrorism campaign. The Burraq is named after a flying horse in Islamic folklore.
Local news outlets have reported that Pakistan had previously used its own drones in the Khyber tribal region. However, a Pakistani security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, denied those reports and said the strike on Monday was the first use of the technology.Local news outlets have reported that Pakistan had previously used its own drones in the Khyber tribal region. However, a Pakistani security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, denied those reports and said the strike on Monday was the first use of the technology.
Drone strikes are highly contentious in Pakistan. Since 2004, the United States has carried out a number of such attacks in the northwestern tribal regions, drawing anger from nationalists and denunciations by civilian governments. Drone strikes are contentious in Pakistan. Since 2004, the United States has carried out a number of such attacks in the northwest, drawing anger from nationalists and denunciations by civilian governments.
Pakistani federal officials have also publicly criticized the strikes, calling them a violation of the country’s sovereignty. Pakistani officials have also publicly criticized the strikes, calling them a violation of the country’s sovereignty.