Pakistani soldiers and tribesmen shot a suspected US military drone on Tuesday night in the Afghan border. This was reported to three officials from the intelligence.
If confirmed, this incident would create more tensions between Islamabad and Washington. This is one of the first incidents of an aircraft without a pilot being shot at over Pakistan. Cross border incursions by America into Pakistan’s tribal regions not governed by laws has already set the tone for tensions between the two countries.
According to the three officials, this aircraft which had been circling for hours above the area of South Waziristan was hit at a village called Jalal Khel. Not being authorized to contact media or brief them, the three witnesses requested anonymity. According to them, wreckage of the shot aircraft was strewn on the ground.
This account was however challenged by the United States. According to senior officials, they were not aware of any such incident. Officials also pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue which is related to disputing an ally of America’s fight against terrorism.
The US has been known to strike or launch occasional attacks at hide outs of suspected terrorists in the Pakistani territory by resorting to surveillance with the help of drones operating in neighboring Afghanistan.
These assaults and strikes have created anger among the Pakistanis who are unhappy with their country’s alliance with America and Washington is deeply concerned about Pakistan’s unwillingness in dealing firmly with terrorist groups. Washington is not happy with Pakistan government’s efforts in combating extremists and rooting Taliban out.
