US drone attacks irking militants in North, South Waziristan

As a result of frequent US drone attacks in North and South Waziristan Agencies, wide ranging unrest and tension has gripped the militants sheltering in the area bordering Afghanistan. In a period of 10 days, five US drone attacks have been carried out in North and South Waziristan, uin which more than 40 militants, including important commander, lost their life.
For the first time, compounds of pro-government militant commander’s hideouts came under drone attack in South Waziristan Agency.
Mullah Nazir is considered an active supporter of al Qaeda and during the Afghan war, he was associated with Engineer Gulbadin Hekmatyar’s Hizbe Islami. He later switched to the Taliban and became its important commander.
After the collapse of the Taliban regime, Nazir slipped to his native Wana region and became part of militants.
However, he was against terrorist acts against the Pakistan Army and civilians and on such grounds, reconciled with the government. When violence reached its peak in South Waziristan in 2006, the government convinced Nazir for establishing a peace lashkar. In this regard, an agreement was signed in March 2007 and Nazir led a tribal lashkar that succeeded in ousting all Central Asians, mostly fugitives of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, including Qari Tahir. According to the agreement, militants belonging to Ahmadzai Wazir tribe of Wana assured that they would not attack government installations, security forces, government officials and pro-government tribal elders.
In return, they would enjoy free movement in the area and would not be blocked if they wanted to enter Afghanistan for attacking US-led allies and such crossings would not be made through legal and declared routes. Mullah Nazir was even permitted to host foreigners and non-locals if such militants did not indulge in attacks on government installations, security forces and pro-government tribesmen.
The situation remained normal between 2007 and 2009, but a large number of foreigners mostly affiliated with al Qaeda and its Pakistani wing rushed to Wana region later. In 2009 and 2010, the US drones focused maximum operations in Wana, forcing al Qaeda fugitives to leave the area. But in 2012, the situation became tense when al Qaeda’s top leaders, including Aiman Al Zawahiri visited Wana and chaired a meeting.
After such reports, the US resumed drone operations in the area. So far, 17 US drone attacks have been registered in North and South Waziristan. In South Waziristan, almost all compounds run by Mullah Nazir are now the targets of US drone attacks. It is believed that leading al Qaeda commanders are still hiding or sheltering in this part of the tribal belt, therefore, these compounds and hideouts are targeted.
Ironically, Pakistani authorities are silent and it seems the US officials have consulted Pakistan on the renewed round of US drone attacks in the area.