ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 30 (UPI) -- Pakistan's air force is relying more on intelligence such as images from spy planes for precision targeting of militants, officials and analysts say.
Claiming improvement in such pinpoint attack techniques, they say the air force also has increased the use of laser-guided bombs against the insurgents in tribal regions, The New York Times reported. Some of the targeting is aided by sophisticated images provided by spy planes.
The air force has accepted some U.S. assistance including sophisticated surveillance equipment and high-grade images, the report said.
However, the Pakistanis have refused most outside aid, relying instead on a small corps of ground spotters or even seeking online assistance, the report said.
The new tactics are designed to cut down on civilian casualties so as not to alienate the population, the Times said. They also are in keeping with the military's reluctance to commit ground troops in the dangerous rugged terrains of Waziristan.
The analysts realize airstrikes alone will not suffice but the strikes have become an effective tool against insurgents in some inaccessible regions.
