October 12, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 29, 1428

PESHAWAR, Oct 11: The Alliance for Protection of Human Rights, a group of civil society organisations, has condemned the air strikes in North Waziristan and civilian casualties in the bombings.

In a press release issued here on Thursday, the alliance comprising the Aurat Foundation, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Shirkat Gah, Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), Human Resource Management and Development Centre (HRMDC), Khwendo Kor, Noor Education Trust (NET) and Sungi Development Foundation expressed grave concern over the loss of precious lives in the air attacks during the last four days.

“It is highly condemnable that at least 250 people have been killed in one of the severest bombings. Even homes, villages and bazaars were not spared. The women and children are among the victims that multiplies the concerns of every conscientious person,” said the press release.

The APHR noted with extreme concern that the massive air-strikes in Mirali had reduced several houses to rubble. “The aggrieved residents of Ippi village were seen on Wednesday pulling bodies from the debris of scores of homes destroyed in the air raids,” it pointed out.

Civil society bodies resented that the indiscriminate air raids had forced a major portion of the population to leave their areas, added the handout.