MILITARY
Amnesty International on Tuesday sharply criticised Pakistani authorities for their failure to protect civilians amid a disturbing rise in suspected drone and quadcopter attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and parts of Balochistan.
The human rights group expressed alarm over a series of incidents in which suspected drone strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, including children, over the past year. It warned that the continued use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in populated areas without accountability could constitute violations of international humanitarian law.
“Pakistani authorities have failed to take action to protect the lives and property of civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who continue to pay the price of an escalating number of drone strikes in the province,” said Amnesty’s South Asia Deputy Regional Director Isabelle Lassée in a statement.
She added: “Use of drones and quadcopters to conduct attacks resulting in the unlawful killing of civilians violates international law. Reports that the strikes have hit homes and volleyball games indicate a reckless disregard for civilian life.”
The statement follows several fatal incidents, including a suspected drone strike in March in Mardan that killed at least 11 people. Another strike in May in Mir Ali tehsil, North Waziristan, killed four children and injured five others. The Pakistani military later said the attack was carried out by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and that security forces were being falsely implicated.
The most recent incident occurred last Friday in South Waziristan, where a child was killed and five others injured in a suspected drone strike, sparking outrage and condemnation from KP lawmakers.
“These attacks are part of an alarming series of strikes that have intensified since March this year,” Amnesty said. It called on the Pakistani government to conduct “prompt, independent, transparent, and effective investigations” into all such incidents and ensure accountability through fair trials.
In another recent incident last month, 22 civilians — many of them children and young people — were injured when a quadcopter dropped explosives in Birmal tehsil of Lower South Waziristan. The attack took place near Karmazi Stop on the Wana-Azam Warsak Road.
Further back in October 2024, at least 13 civilians, mostly children, were wounded when a quadcopter allegedly dropped explosives on a crowded market in Tirah valley. Victims were taken to hospitals in Peshawar for treatment.
Despite repeated denials from state officials, Amnesty and local communities continue to demand transparency and protection, urging the government to uphold its international obligations to safeguard civilian life.
-
FC Jawan Martyred in Orakzai Terror Attack by Fitn...
FC Lance Naik Liaquat martyred as Fitna-ul-Khawarij terrorists attack police & FC check po...
-
Rocket Attack Targets Security Check Post in Tank,...
Rocket fired at Luqman check post near Sabir Shah Baba Ziarat in Tank, KP. Building damage...
-
Rocket Attack Targets MNA Mubarak Zeb’s Home in ...
Another rocket attack hits near MNA Mubarak Zeb’s home in Bajaur — second strike in tw...
-
Terrorist Attack from Afghanistan Kills 2 Soldiers...
Terrorists from Afghanistan attacked a check post in Kurram’s Hassan Mela, martyring 2 s...
-
Four Terrorists Killed in Clashes Between Fitna-ul...
Four terrorists linked to Fitna-ul-Hindustan killed in ongoing clashes with Aman Lashkar n...
