A furious Pakistani political party has revealed what members claim is the identity of a top U.S. spy — the station chief — who’s inside the country, in apparent retribution for drone strikes that have killed several over the past few weeks.
The U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan have killed several high-profile militants — the latest of whom was identified as the leader of the nation’s Taliban organization — but has been a festering issue for peace talk discussions.
The disclosure of the Central Intelligence Agency officer’s name is likely to ratchet tensions further. And it’s the second time in the last few years that Pakistanis opposed to U.S. airstrikes in the nation have taken that action, The Daily Mail reported.
The information secretary for the political party Tehreek-e-Insaf sent a letter to Pakistani police, demanding CIA Director John Brennan face murder charges for “waging war against Pakistan” and striking an Islamic seminary on Nov. 21, The Daily Mail reported.
The secretary, Shireen Mazari, also held a news conference about that strike, and claimed it killed four civilian Pakistanis and two visiting Afghanis — and wounded several children, The Daily Mail said. She also wrote in her letter: The local CIA station chief has no right to diplomatic immunity, and he should face harsh interrogation until he gave up the names of the pilots who flew those drones.
Dean Boyd, a spokesman for the CIA, declined to confirm whether the agent’s identity had been compromised. The CIA station chief’s job is to oversee the Predator drone program, and help U.S. authorities root out and target terrorists. The station chief also serves as a liaison to Pakistani’s intelligence agencies, and his or her name is protected, but generally known by the top-ranking officials.
SEE ALSO: Suspected U.S. drone kills 1 in Pakistan; no intention of throttling back attacks
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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