One of the deadliest US drone strikes in Pakistan, killing over 60 people at a funeral procession in South Waziristan in 2009.
Key Facts
- Date
- 23 June 2009
- Reported killed (low estimate)
- 60+ people
- Reported killed (high estimate)
- 83 people
- Target location
- Funeral procession, Makin, South Waziristan
- Key target present
- Baitullah Mehsud (escaped unhurt)
- Meeting organizer
- Sangeen Khan, Afghan TTP commander
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
United States drone operations in Pakistan's tribal areas were targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership. Intelligence indicated that Baitullah Mehsud's associates were gathered in Makin, South Waziristan, where a funeral for one of Mehsud's associates was being held, followed by a meeting led by Afghan TTP commander Sangeen Khan.
On 23 June 2009, US drones fired missiles at a funeral procession and a subsequent meeting in Makin, South Waziristan. Between 60 and 83 people were reported killed, making it among the deadliest drone strikes since the campaign began. Baitullah Mehsud was reportedly present but escaped; his deputy Qari Hussain was initially reported killed but later contacted reporters to deny this.
The strike drew widespread attention due to its high civilian death toll and the targeting of a funeral gathering. Reports of Qari Hussain's death proved incorrect, as he phoned journalists to confirm he was alive. The attack intensified debate over US drone strike policies in Pakistan and their humanitarian impact on civilian populations in the tribal regions.