Drone attack: tribesmen vow to take revenge

The drone attack targeting a tribal Jirga in Datta Khel, North Waziristan Agency on Thursday, has triggered protest demonstrations and condemnation in the tribal belt flaming hatred against the US. About 44 tribal elders were killed and more than two dozens were injured in a drone attack that hit a building where tribesmen were holding their traditional Jirga. The incident triggered protest and condemnation in both the tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Tribesmen of North Waziristan and Khyber Agency warned against the attacks. The tribesmen of North-Waziristan Agency on Friday while addressing a press conference strongly condemned the brutal attack on peaceful Jirga by US predator at Datta Khel and decided to launch campaign against drone attacks to press the world power to respect international laws and sovereignty of Pakistan.
Talking to media Malik Jalal, chief of peace committee, North Waziristan dispelled the impression of presence of any safe haven of al Qaeda and Taliban in tribal areas of Pakistan. Flanked by Malik Faridullah and Malik Niaz Daraz, he said that the attack on the tribal Jirga was barbarism and sheer injustice with the tribesmen. He was also critical of government for mute response to such inhuman attacks of the US inside Pakistan.
Malik Jalal said that the targeted people in drone attacks were civilians, saying that they have valid evidences that most of the people were innocent tribesmen. He also warned the United States of the taking revenge in case, the drone attacks in the tribal area were continued.
The Kokikhel tribe of Khyber Agency have also registered protest over the Thursday drone attack on the tribal Jirga and warned of initiating movement against the United States. The tribesmen said they would block supply to Nato forces through Pak-Afghan Highway.
The Kokikhel tribe staged a protest demo at Bab-e-Khyber, Jamrud Road. Malik Faizullah Khan and Malik Ismail led the protestors. They paid tributes to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of the Army Staff, Pervez Kiyani for condemning the attack. "The attack on peaceful tribesmen are not tolerable as on one hand Pakistan is the ally of the United States in the war on terror, but on the other hand innocent tribesmen are being targeted in drone attacks to incite them against their own government," they added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly, Faisal Karim Kundi has also condemned the attack, saying that the attacks are increasing hatred against United States. Addressing a tribal jirga at the residence of a known tribal leader and religious scholar, Maulana Asamuddin in Tank, he condemned drone attack on the tribal Jirga in Datta Khel, North Waziristan.