2 Britons killed in drone attack

ANITA JOSHUA

  

(the hindu)

Two British nationals — who had become members of the Al-Qaeda — are reported to have been killed in a drone attack in North Waziristan late last week.

The two were apparently travelling with other militants when their vehicle came under fire from the pilot-less Predators that have been bombarding Pakistan's tribal belt adjoining Afghanistan at regular intervals.

The two Britons are said to have converted to Islam and taken on pseudonyms.

They were killed in the Data Khel area of North Waziristan which is regarded as a safe haven for terrorists.

The U.S. has been mounting pressure on Pakistan to pursue terrorists holed up in this area but Islamabad has maintained that it would do so at a time of its choosing.

Since access to the tribal agencies is limited, confirmed details about the two Britons were not available even six days after the incident. Official sources said information was being verified. In fact, the absence of authentic information regarding the drone strikes and casualties caused by these attacks has been a cause of concern for human rights organisations.

This is not the first time West Europeans have become part of the collateral damage caused by the drone strikes in these parts. Some weeks back, another British national and some Germans were reportedly killed in similar attacks bringing the spotlight on the Al-Qaeda drawing people from all parts of the world.

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