‘US mulls strikes deeper into Pakistan’

Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 9:03 am

The extensive missile strikes being carried out by Central Intelligence Agency-operated drones have until now been limited to the tribal areas, and have never been extended into Baluchistan, a sprawling province that is under the authority of the central government, and which abuts the parts of southern Afghanistan where recent fighting has been the fiercest.

Fear remains within the American government that extending the raids would worsen tensions. Pakistan complains that the strikes violate its sovereignty. But some American officials say the missile strikes in the tribal areas have forced some leaders of the Taliban and al-Qaida to flee south toward Quetta, making them more vulnerable.

In separate reports, groups led by both Gen David Petraeus, commander of American forces in the region, and Lt Gen Douglas Lute, a top White House official on Afghanistan, have recommended expanding American operations outside the tribal areas if Pakistan cannot root out the strengthening insurgency.

Many of Obama’s advisers are also urging him to sustain orders issued by George Bush to continue drone attacks against a wider range of targets in the tribal areas. They also are recommending preserving the option to conduct cross-border ground actions using commandos.

A spokesman for the National Security Council, Mike Hammer, declined to provide details, saying, “We’re still working hard to finalize the review on Afghanistan and Pakistan that the president requested.”

(Agencies)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)

‘US mulls strikes deeper into Pakistan’

From World:

Todays news from World News

Advertisement

Email Subscription

Advertisement