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Kayani urges US to halt strikes on Pakistan
Pakistan's Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani demands the US-led forces in Afghanistan to immediately halt drone strikes inside Pakistani territory. Kayani made the demand during a Tripartite Commission meeting in Kabul, a Press TV correspondent reported. The commission consists of military representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan and international forces in Afghanistan. The high-ranking officials of the commission, discussed issues including the US supposed war on terror in and around the Pak-Afghan border. Kayani termed the strikes in the tribal areas of the country as counterproductive in the war against terrorism and extremism. He noted that many innocent people were being killed in the strikes. More than 450 people --among them suspected militants as well as civilians --have been killed in the attacks. The strikes have increased tensions between Islamabad and Washington and have triggered anti-American sentiments among the Pakistani people. Both Afghan and US officials have accused Pakistan of not doing enough to prevent cross-border operations by the insurgents against foreign troops. The tribal regions along the shared border between Pakistan and Afghanistan became safe havens for militants after a US-led invasion in late 2001 toppled Taliban's regime in Afghanistan and sent insurgents to border areas with Pakistan. Posted by: Fred 2009-01-05 |
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