Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:16PM GMT
At least four people have been killed in a non-UN-sanctioned drone strike in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region of South Waziristan.
The attack took place on Friday when the drone fired two deadly missiles at a house in Sheen Warsak area, a Press TV correspondent reported.
Washington claims the attacks target al-Qaeda-linked and pro-Taliban militants in Pakistan's northwestern tribal regions bordering Afghanistan. However, locals say the strikes kill civilians.
The issue of civilian casualties has strained relations between Islamabad and Washington.
Pakistan has repeatedly condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty, asserting that such attacks have proven counterproductive in the so-called war against terrorism.
The aerial attacks, initiated by former US President George W. Bush have escalated under President Barack Obama.
A recent study conducted by the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism has revealed that at least 2,200 civilians, including up to 168 children since drone strikes began in 2004.
The United Nations says the US-operated drone strikes in Pakistan pose a growing challenge to the international rule of law.
Philip Alston, UN special envoy on extrajudicial killings, said in a report in late October 2010 that the attacks were undermining the rules designed to protect the right of life.
Alston also said he feared that the drone killings by the US Central Intelligence Agency could develop a "playstation" mentality.
JR/HGH
Posted in: NEWS
