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Pakistan in border warning to US | Pakistan in border warning to US |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Pakistan's army spokesman has made clear that its forces will not tolerate incursions into Pakistani territory. | |
His remarks come a day after Pakistani troops were reported to have fired shots into the air to stop US troops crossing into South Waziristan. | His remarks come a day after Pakistani troops were reported to have fired shots into the air to stop US troops crossing into South Waziristan. |
Tension is rising in Pakistan over an increase in US attacks along the border with Afghanistan. | |
America's top military commander, Adm Michael Mullen, is in Pakistan on an unannounced visit, the Pentagon says. | |
He is due to meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani to discuss the border operations, officials say. | |
Meanwhile, British Justice Secretary Jack Straw has said operations along the border should be done "in a way that is not counterproductive". | |
"We believe that these matters have to be subject to consent of the Pakistan government because Pakistan is a sovereign nation," he told the BBC after talks in Islamabad. | |
On Monday, there were reports of nine US helicopters landing on the Afghan side of the border and US troops attempting to cross into South Waziristan. | On Monday, there were reports of nine US helicopters landing on the Afghan side of the border and US troops attempting to cross into South Waziristan. |
The tribal region is one of the main areas from which Islamist militants launch attacks into Afghanistan. | The tribal region is one of the main areas from which Islamist militants launch attacks into Afghanistan. |
Locals said seven US helicopter gunships and two troop-carrying Chinook helicopters landed in the Afghan province of Paktika near the Zohba mountain range. | Locals said seven US helicopter gunships and two troop-carrying Chinook helicopters landed in the Afghan province of Paktika near the Zohba mountain range. |
US troops from the Chinooks then tried to cross the border. As they did so, Pakistani paramilitary soldiers at a checkpoint opened fire into the air and the US troops decided not to continue forward, local Pakistani officials say. | US troops from the Chinooks then tried to cross the border. As they did so, Pakistani paramilitary soldiers at a checkpoint opened fire into the air and the US troops decided not to continue forward, local Pakistani officials say. |
Pakistan's military confirmed firing but denied that Pakistani troops were involved. | Pakistan's military confirmed firing but denied that Pakistani troops were involved. |
Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told the Associated Press on Tuesday that "no incursion is to be tolerated". | |
But he stressed to the BBC that no specific orders had been given to open fire if US troops crossed the border from Afghanistan. | |
Diplomatic fury | Diplomatic fury |
It emerged last week that US President George W Bush has in recent months authorised military raids against militants inside Pakistan without prior approval from Islamabad. | It emerged last week that US President George W Bush has in recent months authorised military raids against militants inside Pakistan without prior approval from Islamabad. |
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says there is a growing American conviction that Pakistan is either unwilling or unable to eliminate militant sanctuaries in its border area. | The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says there is a growing American conviction that Pakistan is either unwilling or unable to eliminate militant sanctuaries in its border area. |
There have been a number of missile attacks aimed at militants in Pakistan territory in recent weeks. | There have been a number of missile attacks aimed at militants in Pakistan territory in recent weeks. |
Pakistan reacted with diplomatic fury when US helicopters landed troops in South Waziristan on 3 September. It was the first ground assault by US troops in Pakistan. | Pakistan reacted with diplomatic fury when US helicopters landed troops in South Waziristan on 3 September. It was the first ground assault by US troops in Pakistan. |
Locals in the Musa Nikeh area said American soldiers attacked a target with gunfire and bombs, and said women and children were among some 20 civilians who died in the attack. | Locals in the Musa Nikeh area said American soldiers attacked a target with gunfire and bombs, and said women and children were among some 20 civilians who died in the attack. |
On Monday, the tribesmen say they grabbed their guns and took up defensive positions after placing their women and children out of harm's way. | On Monday, the tribesmen say they grabbed their guns and took up defensive positions after placing their women and children out of harm's way. |
Pakistan's army has warned that the aggressive US policy will widen the insurgency by uniting the tribesmen with the Taleban. | Pakistan's army has warned that the aggressive US policy will widen the insurgency by uniting the tribesmen with the Taleban. |
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