MIRANSHAH – The government will pay compensation to the families of 39 people who died in a US drone strike in North Waziristan, an official said on Saturday. Civilians and police were among those killed when missiles hit a compound in Datta Khel, 40 kilometres west of Miranshah, on March 17.
Tribal administration official Asghar Khan told AFP a compensation package was ready for the victims’ families. “Three hundred thousand rupees ($3,530) each will be paid to 39 families, while Rs 100,000 rupees will be paid to six injured,” Khan said, adding that payments would commence from Monday.
The government pays compensation to police and civilians who get killed in bomb blasts or terror attacks but this will be the first time that compensation has been paid to US drone attack victims. Pakistan summoned US Ambassador Cameron Munter and told him that it would not attend the March 26 meeting with officials from Washington and Kabul in response to Thursday’s drone strike.
Civilian and military leaders have condemned the strike, demanding an apology and an explanation from the United States. General David Petraeus, the top US general in Afghanistan, reiterated earlier this month that it was “hugely important” that Pakistani forces take action against militants in North Waziristan.
