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Summary The United States is going to defend itself under any circumstances, Panetta added.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said the US will continue to launch drone strikes against militant sanctuaries in Pakistan even if the countrys government keeps opposing them.The United States was attacked on 9/11, and we know who attacked us, Panetta said in a television interview.We know that Al Qaida was behind it and we are going to do everything we can, use whatever operations we have to, in order to make sure that we protect this country and make sure that that kind of attack never happens again, he said.The United States is going to defend itself under any circumstances, Panetta added.Drone attacks inside Pakistan are carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency, which Panetta previously headed.Pakistans Foreign Office at many times opposed and condemned US drone attacks, terming it violation of nations sovereignty.Earlier today, an American drone fired a volley of missiles into a house in North Waziristan, killing 10 people and indicating U.S. resolve to continue with the attacks despite renewed Pakistani opposition.
