Beneath the Drones: Untold Stories Under Watchful Skies

Abstract

This paper explores the emotional experiences of the conflict-affected civilian populations, especially children, living beneath the drones in the Waziristan region of Pakistan, amidst war on terror. Using qualitative technique, the study examines the psychosocial experiences of the 10 children (aged 8-16 years). In-depth interviews and purposive sampling were employed to recollect the children’s untold stories of loss, fear, and uncertainty. Data was analyzed employing the narrative approach, foregrounding children’s stories rather than focusing on the dominant clinical approaches. Findings indicates that living beneath the drones generates chronic fear and uncertainty, disrupting sleep patterns, educational performances and daily social lives. Both direct and indirect, losses of lives, and damage to the property worsens emotional suffering, and undermining children’s sense of safety and security. The prolonged exposure to the drone strikes creates a pessimistic sense of a future, which ultimately limit the children’s ability to make plans, or feel optimistic. The findings emphasize the need for centering children’s voices within the policy, social, and community networks to mitigate the psychosocial impacts of the drone warfare on the civilian populations. The study broadens the understanding of childhood in the conflict zones, and raise critical ethical considerations for the policy makers regarding the use of advanced warfare technologies in the modern-day conflict.