Protest Against Drone Strike In North Waziristan Continues

North Waziristan: Residents of Mir Ali tehsil in North Waziristan continued their sit-in protest for a second consecutive day, following a suspected drone strike that killed four children from the same family and injured five others, including a woman. The incident occurred in Hurmuz village, with both security forces and the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) known to operate quadcopters in the area. 

In response to the tragedy, locals have refused to bury the children’s bodies, demanding that security officials verify that the victims were not militants. Allama Iqbal Dawar, a protest organizer and local PTI leader, emphasized that previous meetings with officials had not prevented civilian casualties from drone strikes. He stated that residents are now insisting on assurances that such incidents will cease.

Negotiations between local elders and authorities are underway, with North Waziristan District Police Officer Waqar Ahmad confirming ongoing talks. Mir Ali Tehsildar Sher Bahadar is leading the negotiations with the jirga (council of elders). While local authorities are investigating the incident, there has been no official statement from the federal government. However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Relief Minister Haji Nek Muhammad Dawar condemned the strike and pledged to bring those responsible to justice.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed deep concern over the use of drones in civilian areas, calling it a grave violation of human rights and supporting the community’s demand for an independent investigation.

This incident follows similar events, including a March operation in Mardan where at least 11 people were killed—locals claimed they were civilians, while officials described it as an anti-militant operation. In September of the previous year, an alleged drone attack in Upper South Waziristan killed one person and injured three others.