New US strategy to continue drone attacks in Pak's tribal region

Lahore, Mar. 20 (ANI): US officials have said that Washington plans to continue with drone attacks in the tribal regions of Pakistan.

They said that these attacks are being initiated as part of the new US strategy on Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The CIA-operated missile attacks carried by unmanned US aircrafts have attracted worldwide condemnation as both civilian and suspected militants have been killed.

White house sources claimed that under the new strategy, the Obama administration would provide enhanced counter insurgency weaponry to Pakistan military.

However, they added that the attacks would not be extended to the other areas, as claimed by several media reports.

The new strategy also calls for a massive expansion in the US economic and development assistance to Pakistan.

The US is expected to deploy more diplomats and officials to Afghanistan. Two veteran US diplomats Peter Galbraith and Francis Ricciardone Jr. will lead this team.

Last week, President Obama nominated former US military commander Lt. General Karl Eikenberry as the US Ambassador to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, US officials confirmed that Pakistan and Afghanistan would be at the top of Obama's agenda when he goes to Europe to consult with America's allies.

Obama is expected to announce his new strategy before he leaves for Netherlands on March 31 to attend a 73-nation meeting on Pakistan and Afghanistan. (ANI)