Drone attack in Hangu - the first US drone attack in settled areas of Pakistan

Residents stand at the site of a drone attack on a seminary in Hangu district, Nov 21, 2013. — Photo by Reuters

A US drone attack on a madrassa in Hangu area that killed 6 persons has created a shock wave across the whole country. This is because the US has widened their domain of international terrorism to settled areas and people feel that now no city of Pakistan is virtually safe from drones. This has happened because of apathy of the government who is as mum as usual on this serious issue also. Is the government now waiting for drones to attack people in Kohat, Peshawar and then Islamabad? 

American war on terror was brought in Pakistan during Pervez Musharaf era. It was nurtured and made more lethal during Zardari-led PPP government and now PML-N  government is not seen in a position to take any stance that could rescue the country from perpetual disaster. The main reason for this apathy is that the present set-up has been brought to power with a 'stolen 'mandate' to achieve specific objectives by international players. 

The US has rightly selected the most coward, the most spineless and the most timid ruler in the history of Pakistan to extend their drone attacks beyond tribal areas. They fully know that the NS govt will never take a slightest step against them because of obvious reasons. Had the elections been conducted in fair and free manner, the genuine leadership would have taken pragmatic steps, and by now the US would have been compelled to revisit their drone policy. 

This is not a good omen for NS government  Coupled with unprecedented price hike, ever-depleting economy, an uncontrollable inflation and deteriorating law and order situation, the danger bells for the government have started ringing much earlier than expected. 

If the NS government is unable to retrieve the situation by taking drastic and revolutionary steps, I am afraid the government may not survive by the end of next year. In case NS feels that he is genuinely incapable of retrieving the situation on any pretext, then instead of waiting for chaos and anarchy to knock at the door, he should better admit his failure in public and resign. 

There is no point in clinging to power at the peril of the country. But in all my sincerity, I want to see NS and his  government survive with dignity and success. 

By Akhtar Hayat Malik

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Boston Marathon Bomb Blasts and US Drone Attacks

Two bomb blasts exploded at the finish line of the famous Boston Marathon on 15th April, leaving four dead and countless injured - some of whom will me maimed for life or will lose their limbs forever.  A gory and awesome incident which must be condemned as targeting and killing of innocent people is not only act of cowardice but also inhuman and barbaric.

The entire world media is showing headlines and footage of the blast and photos showing of the blast victims. One really feels for those who instead of watching a sport event since 1897 has been a regular annual event of Boston, USA.

But I was just wondering why not the world media shows the victims of US drone attacks carried out heartlessly which kill more innocent civilians, mostly women and children, in Pakistan and other US targeted countries?

Are these victims children of a lesser God? Aren't these humans just like that eight years old boy that lost his  life in the Boston blasts? Doesn't world conscious cry when they see these children dying for no fault of theirs? Why such deaths do not make headlines around the world?

Doesn't this picture of a mother cuddling her two daughters while dying move the conscious of the world  and the world media, which only report of the militants and Taliban - but not these innocent people and children who die as a consequence of collateral damage?

The US soldiers in Afghanistan pee on the dead - one soldier goes on shooting spree and kills sixteen women and children - even some soldiers cut parts of the dead bodies of the militants and pose with their war 'trophies' - but the world remains a silent spectator. Even those found guilty of crimes above are given very light punishments attributing their crimes to stress es of war, rather than vengeance and cruelty of highest order.

When would the world conscious awake?

Also read: Join anti drone days this April

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Support LA Rally against US Drone Attacks Today 13th April

On 5th April  I talked about the Anti Drone Days this April by the US select group which is protesting against the killing of innocent civilians, mostly children and women. The group is continuing to protest throughout the month of April for those over 5,000 victims of US drone attacks of which about 3,500 were from Pakistan only.

Today, on 13th April, a huge anti drone rally is being organized at the LA City Hall (West Steps), 1st St. between Spring & Main, Los Angeles, California.

This humane group is of the view that:

'The U.S. functions as a death squad government, permitting the president and military leaders to create secret “kill lists” of people who have been selected for assassination. There is no due process, no trial, no evidence – the individuals are selected to be murdered and they are killed, and many civilians who are nearby also die. Drones are the weapon of choice.'

It may be added that in the 19th century, it was a common tactic of imperialists to use gunboats to move around the world and assert their will, answering challenges to their authority with bullets and cannon shot. The use, or threat of the use, of naval force was used by Britain, the United States and other imperialist nations to force exploitative terms of trade and political accommodations on various political entities around the world.

The United States government’s drone program serves the same general purpose as gunboat diplomacy. It enables the United States to extend its military power over any country that lacks the ability, or will, to shoot down the aircraft.

So if you are in LA, no matter of what country you belong to, join the rally and raise your voice against the drones that are killing people more and militants hardly 1.5% of the total.

Those who are away, must raise voice through social media networks to support those ge4tting together in LA today.

Join at LA City Hall for a rally on Saturday, April 13 to let the world know that the people of this country are demanding “Drones Out of Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Everywhere!”

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US assassination drone attacks amount to a “war crime” - says American Analyst

The US drone attacks continuing in some of the countries as part of the war on terror unleashed by the US, specially in Pakistan where over 30,000 thousands have perished sine 2004, mostly women and children, has attracted world criticism on this inhuman act and question the wisdom behind killing a few militants with a colossal collateral damage.

US Drone Attacks: The indubitable war crime

Pakistan's emerging cricketer-turned-politician, the lone crusader against the drone attacks, has raised his voice against the drone attacks on many a fora around the world.

However, recently a political analyst in an interview  with Press TV has stated that the US assassination drone attacks amount to a “war crime” against civilians by a government that claims moral leadership of the world.

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Press TV has conducted an interview with Mike Harris, financial editor of Veterans Today (Arizona), to further discuss the issue of US drone attacks. Harris is joined by two additional guests of the program: Lawrence J. Korb, senior fellow of American Progress (Washington), and Toby Blome, CodePink peace activist (Washington).

Mike Harris asserts that:

"If we look at the drone issue here, the drone issue is nothing more than a war crime. And the whole premise of war in Iraq, in Pakistan, in Afghanistan, and in Yemen is a fraud. It is falsely based, these are illegal wars that US should not be involved in them. And we should get out and bring our troops home. End of discussion.”

Read the approximate transcription of the interview with Mike Harris at Press TV.

(source)

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American Drone Operator Quits Army for he could not go on killing children anymore

Killing enemy is one thing - but killing innocent civilians, specially the women and children is just another - something that is not only inhuman but also against all norms of humanity, warfare and even the Geneva Convention.

The on going so called war on terror by the USA, the so called champions of human rights and humanity, has killed hundreds of innocent children by just one command by the superiors and one thumb push by the drone operator, sitting in the comforts of a protected bunker and operation room.

And it is still one thing to shed tears when a nutty character chooses to kill school children in USA, which makes even the American president shed tears (or as he appeared to be so) and then tell his military commanders to kill the enemy in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and Pakistan - even if the collateral damage includes killing of children and women.

When in Pakistan someone raises a voice, the champions of peace and human rights look the other way. But not one 27 years old Brandon Bryant, from Missoula, Montana, a drone operator stationed in Afghanistan.

27 years old Bryant could not any more children and quit US Army as a Predator drone operator [Photo: Google+]

Having flown countless drone sorties over Pakistan and Afghanistan that would have resulted in killing of countless innocent civilians, women and children, Bryant could not take it anymore.  For he thought following orders to shoot and kill a child in Afghanistan is much beyond the human norms and rules of the game. 

'I saw men, women and children die during that time,' he told Spiegel Online. 'I never thought I would kill that many people. In fact, I thought I couldn't kill anyone at all.'

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Bryant narrates an anecdote when he illuminated a mud house for the laser-tracked Hell-fire missile aboard the Predator drone and the pilot pressed the release button. While the missile was half way, a boy appeared from the corner of the mud house 0 and then seconds later he 'wasn't there.'

Bryant had a sick feeling in his stomach, he told the website: 'Did we just kill a kid?' he asked the pilot next to him."

'Yeah, I guess that was a kid,' the man replied.

At that very moment the 27 years old soldier felt something that only a few can feel in the heat of battle. The feeling only a human can feel when seeing a child disintegrating in countless pieces.

And so he QUIT!!

This highlights that even soldiers have hearts and they feel and weep too when innocent people die - it is only the politicians and presidents that see things from a  different perspective. When own children die, one cries (or even pretends to cry) - but when children of enemy die, no one sheds a tear, for he was someone's child too - but in a different land, playing a different game.

May be someday everyone start to take children whether in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq or even hunger stricken Africa as just children and mourn their death the same way as death of children in America at the hands of an insane.

May be one day .....

Read more about Bryant  at Daily Mail
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Woman protests Brennan calling drone attack 'ethical and just'

WASHINGTON: The 'crusader' of the freedom of expression all across the world could not tolerate a single woman, who protested US President's Advisor declaring drone strikes 'ethical and just' and was thrown out of the hall with the help of police.

Saying that President Barack Obama "has instructed us to be more open with the American people" in the use of drones to kill suspected terrorists abroad, White House counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan said Monday that the controversial strikes are "ethical and just," with each one being carefully vetted.

Speaking as part of a media blitz to mark the one-year anniversary of the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by Navy SEALS at his hideout in Pakistan, Brennan explained why the use of unmanned aerial vehicles makes sense to target not only foreign terrorists but also those like American-born Anwar al-Awlaki, who are U.S. citizens.

Brennan's speech was interrupted when a young woman stood up to "speak out on behalf of those innocent victims" killed by drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia," she said. 

Watch the video below:

The woman, which was later forcibly taken out of the conference room by a muscular policeman continued to speak till ushered out of the room:

"They deserve an apology from you, Mr. Brennan? How many people are you willing to sacrifice? Why are you lying to the American people and not saying how may innocents have been killed?" A burly guard lifted the protester and carried her away as she named alleged drone victims and declared she was speaking out "on behalf of the Constitution -- on behalf of the rule of law."

Video / write up courtesy: YouTube /  huppybutt

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The Deadly Incursions

Since the American involvement in the affairs of Afghanistan, Pakistan has suffered more than any other country. The US Predator drones have been targeting targets inside border areas of Pakistan since long, despite loud and clear apprehensions of their efficacy by the general masses of Pakistan. These drone attacks have killed “suspected individuals” that number in hundreds till date. In September alone, 21 strikes were recorded by the drones.

But recently, the US helicopters have also started ingress into Pakistani air space under the garb of hot pursuit operations. Yesterday, two US helicopters made ingress into the border town of Teri Mangal in the Khurram agency and shelled the area including a security post of Pakistan, leaving three Pakistani soldiers dead. The helicopters hovered over the area for some 25 minutes, firing rockets. This is the second attack of its kind in the last few days. Earlier two US Apache helicopters violated Pakistani airspace and shelled an area leaving thirty people dead.

While the government of Pakistan has been protesting silently and the people of Pakistan openly against the drone attacks, the latest incursions by active US troops is a source of concern both for the government and people of Pakistan. The gradual step of US army’s ingress into Pakistan is totally unacceptable as it infringes upon the sovereignty of Pakistan. Killing soldiers who are fighting the US led war on terror is not understood. If such strikes continue, the morale of the Pakistani soldiers is definitely going to suffer and they may not participate in this war (not of their own) whole heartedly in future.

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