A Pakistani army helicopter patrols the tribal region of South Waziristan along the Afghan border in November 2009. Pakistani gunship helicopters on Friday pounded a suspected militant hideout in a northwestern tribal area known for sheltering Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters, officials said. (AFP/File/Aamir Qureshi)
This file photo shows US soldiers preparing to launch an unmanned aerial drone. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates took on his critics in Pakistan, apologising for past "grave" mistakes as he works to bolster ties with Washington's key ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda. (AFP/File/Patrick Baz)