Civilian life counts for nothing in terror war.

Byline: Maurice Fitzmaurice

THE killing of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud by an US unmanned drone was hailed as a breakthrough in the fight against terror.

If he did half the things he's being blamed for then this one-time body builder deserved everything he got.

But an interesting fact was mentioned in the wake of the death of this "murderous thug" - for every militant killed by one of these drones, 24 civilians die.

Imagine for a moment if in the wake of the Omagh bomb the British Army, who have three Reaper drones operating in Afghanistan, had sent them into North Louth in search of Michael McKevitt and Liam Campbell. Would 48 dead civilians have been a price worth paying? If such "collateral" damage would not for one second be considered acceptable here, why on earth is it ok in Pakistan? It seems the value of human life depends on which part of the world you're in.

And so if a Taliban leader visits his wife and children - or goes to a market, we are happy to let the bombs drop.

Some analysts say the death of Mehsud will make little difference as there are a few wannabes waiting in the wings dying to meet Allah.

But one thing they rarely mention - young people may well be lining up to join the rebels to fight America, the country which wilfully kills women and children with missiles.

Too add insult to injury they call it a roaring success in the fight against terrorism.

Value of human life depends on where you are in the world

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KILLED Warlord Baitullah Mehsud