Pakistan condemns latest US drone strike

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned the latest US drone strike in North Waziristan tribal region, which killed at least six people.

The American spy aircraft fired missiles on a compound of suspected militants in the Shawal area of North Waziristan, one of Pakistan's seven tribal regions, late on Sunday.

"These unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Foreign Ministry said.

A Foreign ministry statement said Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes.

"The government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications, " the statement said.  The Foreign Ministry said the US drone strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations. "These drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region," the statement said. Sunday's strike was the fourth US drone strike since Nawaz Sharif assumed office as prime minister last month.

Earlier this month, a drone fired missiles on a house located in North Waziristan and killed 17. It was the biggest one launched this year.

Another drone strike which took place on July 13 killed two people in Mir Ali Tehsil, North Waziristan.

Despite Pakistan's strong opposition, the United States has ruled out any change in the CIA-controlled drone campaign, insisting that it is an effective program to eliminate militants.