Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

FACTBOX - U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan

Wed Jun 24, 2009 3:03pm IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

By Augustine Anthony

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Missiles fired from a U.S. drone at militants after a funeral for a Taliban commander in South Waziristan near the Afghan border killed about 70 insurgents on Tuesday, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

Civilian casualties caused by the missile-carrying, pilotless drones, operated by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, have infuriated many Pakistanis and made it harder for the government to cooperate with the United States.

Here are some facts about the U.S. missile attacks, the controversy they have caused, and a list of some of the more prominent militants killed, according to Pakistani officials.

WHY DOES THE UNITED STATES ATTACK?

Many al Qaeda members and Taliban fled to northwestern Pakistan's ungoverned ethnic Pashtun belt after U.S.-led soldiers ousted Afghanistan's Taliban government in 2001. From their sanctuaries there the militants have orchestrated insurgencies in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The United States and Afghanistan have pressed Pakistan to eliminate the sanctuaries. Apparently frustrated by Pakistan's inability to do so, the United States is hitting the militants itself.

HOW MANY ATTACKS?   Continued...

A Greek flag at the Bank of Greece is seen near a statue of ancient philosopher Socrates in Athens February 5, 2010.  REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis/Files
Greek crisis sets euro zone enlargement back

The Greek debt crisis has dealt a setback to prospects of enlarging the euro zone by highlighting the difficulties of managing the single currency area.  Full Article 

An Afghan National Army soldier is seen in Wardak province southwest of Kabul January 30, 2010. REUTERS/Mustafa Andalib
India rethinks Afghan policy

An initiative by Western powers seeking peace with the Taliban in Afghanistan is forcing India to modify its policy toward the hardline Islamists to avoid being marginalised.  Full Article