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MIRAMSHAH: Annoyed with the silence of the government and others over the US drone intrusions, gun-totting tribesmen took things in their hands on Tuesday and fired at the drones that appeared over North Waziristan Agency.
Local people said that more than six unmanned planes were seen flying at low altitude over Miramshah, Razmak, Datakhel, Mirali, Shawal and other areas of North Waziristan throughout the day.Angry tribesmen in some areas started heavy firing on the drones.
Witnesses said that tribesmen used Kalashnikov rifles and heavy machineguns to shoot down the intruding unmanned planes.
According to reports, drones also flew over Azam Warsak area of the adjacent South Waziristan Agency.
The government had shown strong reaction to Nato attack on Salala post in Mohmand Agency in November last, warning the foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan of a tit-for-tat response. T
he attack by Nato forces had left 26 officers and soldiers dead.
According to reports the armed forces had upgraded their air defence system along the Afghan border to thwart violation of the country’s airspace. However, residents of Miramshah, the administrative headquarters of North Waziristan Agency, said that despite heavy presence of security forces in the region drones continued to hover over the area and fire missiles.
“The US drones have not only continued sorties but also resumed missile attacks in North Waziristan, but the government has adopted complete silence over the strikes,” they said.
Two missile attacks had been carried out in the area and nine suspected militants had been killed since January 11.
Infuriated tribal people said that like halting supplies to Nato forces in Afghanistan, the government should also take serious measures to stop drone attacks.
Meanwhile, tribal people experienced a daylong curfew in several areas on Tuesday as all offices, educational institutions and bazaars remained closed. Markets in Miramshah, Mirali and others parts of the agency were closed because of the curfew.
Miramshah, Mirali, Dosali, Razmak, Datakhel and other areas remained under curfew from 6:30am to 5pm owing to movement of army convoys. Business outlets, schools and government offices were closed. The curfew brought life to a standstill in the area and even patients were not allowed to visit hospitals.
Officials said that troops had stopped movement in the volatile region owing to torrential rains and snowfall in some areas.
Political administration has made announcements that main roads would remain closed to traffic.
