Islamabad: Amnesty International has sharply criticized Pakistani authorities for their failure to protect civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), amid a troubling rise in suspected drone and quadcopter strikes in the region. The human rights watchdog accused the state of failing to safeguard lives and uphold international legal obligations.
The statement follows numerous reported incidents of aerial attacks in both KP and Balochistan over the past year.
In one of the deadliest incidents in March, at least 11 people were reportedly killed in a drone strike in Mardan, according to local residents. In May, shelling by a suspected quadcopter in the Mir Ali subdivision of North Waziristan resulted in the deaths of four children and injured five others.
The Pakistan military had denied involvement in the attack, asserting that the banned militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was responsible.
Just last Friday, a child was killed and five others injured in another suspected drone strike in South Waziristan — an incident that drew strong condemnation from local politicians.
In today’s statement, Isabelle Lassée, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said:
"Pakistani authorities have failed to take meaningful action to protect civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who are bearing the brunt of these increasing drone strikes."
Amnesty noted that attacks by drones and quadcopters that result in the unlawful killing of civilians violate international law. The organization highlighted disturbing reports that some of these strikes have targeted homes and even volleyball matches, calling it a "shocking display of disregard for civilian life."
The statement described Friday’s attack as part of a “worrying pattern” of escalating strikes since March this year.
While Pakistani authorities often deny responsibility for these incidents, Amnesty emphasized that the government is still obligated to carry out immediate, independent, transparent, and effective investigations — and ensure those responsible are held accountable through fair trials.
In another recent incident last month, 22 civilians — including children and youth — were injured when suspected quadcopter shelling struck near Karamzi Stop on the Wana-Azam Warsak road in South Waziristan’s Birmal subdivision. Officials have confirmed the injuries.
In October last year, 13 civilians were wounded when an alleged quadcopter dropped explosives on a market in the Tirah Valley. Local sources said that the injured were later shifted to hospitals in Peshawar.
Amnesty has urged the Pakistani government to take concrete steps to investigate and halt these attacks, and to prioritize the protection of civilian lives in line with international human rights and humanitarian law.
