US programme prefers assassination over capture, secret docs reveal

Secret documents from an anonymous whistleblower have revealed that the US government's controversial "targeted killing" drone programme against terrorists suffers due to its preference for assassination over capture, according to a series of articles published on The Intercept.

The secret documents said that Washington's 14-year high-value targeting campaign suffered from an "a preference for assassination rather than capture" that resulted in incalculable civilian toll, News24 reported.

The US airstrike campaign also suffers from an overreliance on signals intelligence, the documents said.

The investigative website exposed details on how the deadly attacks are carried out as well as the programme's weaknesses that human rights groups have criticised.

The whistleblower insisted to remain anonymous because the US government zealously pursues those who reveal confidential information.