US turns down Pak's plea for drone technology

The United States has reportedly rejected Pakistan's fresh demands of handing over unmanned drone technology to it, highly placed sources in the Pakistan military have revealed, adding that Washington's refusal could result in Islamabad further delaying its decision to launch a new war front against militants in North Waziristan.

"Apart from other issues, the issue pertaining to transfer of requisite drone technology could cause a delay in Pakistan's launching of military operation in North Waziristan", The Nation quoted the sources as saying.

Pakistan has already developed drones capable of reconnaissance missions, but it still lacks the technology to attach weapons to the indigenous drones, which can carry out attacks against extremists in the country's semi-autonomous tribal regions.

The well-placed military sources said that it was imperative for the Barack Obama-led US administration to provide the drone technology to enable it to take action against extremists flourishing on the terror hot beds situated along the Afghan border.

"Drones with weapon systems are imperative to meet Pakistan's pressing needs in tackling low-intensity conflicts such as terrorism, especially with back-up intelligence support from US satellite network on Pak-Afghan border" they said.

Islamabad has repeatedly opposed the Central Investigation Agency operated drone strikes in the restive tribal areas, saying they violate its sovereignty and fuel anti-American sentiments amongst the population. But it is believed that Pakistan is privately sharing intelligence with the US about the insurgents and their hide-outs.