In an effort to decrease collateral civilian deaths in drone attacks in Pakistan, the CIA has started to utilize smaller-sized missiles and miniature drones. Â Last month, the CIA killed a top al-Qaeda official and 9 other suspected insurgents by deploying a small missile that is about the size of a violin case and weighs about 35 pounds. Â Unlike the 100 pound Hellfire missiles that were used before, smaller missiles and miniature drones are more appropriate for urban environments, allowing the CIA to carry out operations while minimizing collateral damage. Â According to the CIA, more than 70 drone attacks have been carried out since January 2009, resulting in deaths of about 20 civilian and more than 400 suspected insurgents.
Read more at MSNBC.