At least 2,200 people have been killed and more than 1,100 others injured by the unauthorized US drone strikes in Pakistan since 2004, a report says.
A new study conducted by the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism has also revealed that up to 168 children have lost their lives in more than 291 attacks since they began under George W. Bush, a Press TV correspondent reported on Friday.
The aerial raids have escalated since President Barack Obama took office in 2009. At least 236 attacks have taken place during his term, the report added.
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.
"Most of the people here in Pakistan are opposing the drone attacks anywhere in Pakistan only because they think innocent people, especially women and children are dying in these attacks," Mumtaz Bangash, a political analyst said.
"People are saying that these attacks should immediately stop. Not only the people in Pakistan but people here in the American consulate have recently opposed [the strikes] and say they should be controlled," Bangash added.
At least twenty-five people were killed in the latest drone attack in North Waziristan on Wednesday after the unmanned aircraft fired two missiles on a vehicle and a compound.
Islamabad has repeatedly condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty, asserting that such attacks have proved counterproductive in US-led war against terrorism.
SS/JR/MA/MGH/MB
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