‏Bashir Shaikh might have a point in his letter published in Arab News (‘Drone attacks’, Oct. 5), on the legal aspects of drone attacks launched by the CIA in the tribal areas inside Pakistan.

‏But such hypothetical questions are valid in peace times; we are at war with a very shrewd enemy. And in a war, both sides deploy their best and most effective resources to combat the other side. Yes, there is collateral damage causing restlessness among the local population, but Shaikh shall tell us what is the alternate to drone attacks.

‏Most of the tribal areas are under Taleban and Al-Qaeda’s proclaimed/perceived control. Pakistan Army and paramilitary forces are restricted to their barracks or are guarding the interconnecting roads, in fact most of the time they look after their own safety rather than anything else. NATO forces are not permitted to lodge a ground offense, then how to deal with a nexus of Taleban and Al-Qaeda terrorists. Pakistan’s right-wing Urdu media and politico-religious parties are quite vocal against drone attacks. Yes, they shall raise concern over killing of 2,000 people in drone attacks (including dozens of top terrorist commanders) during the last few years. But where is their concern over the killing of more than 40,000 civilians and military personnel, routine suicide bombings, destruction of schools, health centers and infrastructure. Every now and then they resort to long march or sit-ins against drone attacks, why are they silent over Pakistan’s losses. It clearly shows their inclination toward the groups operating in tribal areas, good enough to provide them the boost to continue with their massacre and destruction of Pakistan.

‏Nevertheless, the solution doesn’t lie in military operation, drone attacks or peace deals. The solution lies with tribes only — they need to get up and throw the brutal forces of Taleban and Al-Qaeda out of their territories. Until that day, this endless war will continue without any results. — Masood Khan, Jubail