PESHAWAR: The London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism in its report for October 2014 said a barrage of drone strikes this month took the total attacks under President Barack Obama in Pakistan past 350. It noted that there have now been more than 400 US drone strikes since June 2004.
“These milestones were reached this month as the CIA went on the offensive. It hit the country nine times, the most strikes in a month since October 2011. This doubled the number of strikes recorded this year, taking the total to 18,” the report said. It added that despite the intensity of the attacks, on average 3.2 people died per strike.
According to the report, four strikes in October hit the Shawal valley, a mountainous area that straddles the border between North and South Waziristan. It is favoured as a base of operations for various armed groups because the geography makes it easily defensible, the report said.
“The CIA attacks come as the Pakistan military continues its offensive against armed groups in the tribal areas. The Shawal has been hit by Pakistan Air Force strikes as well as by drone attacks since the offensive began in June.
Internews
