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U.S. troops cross into Pakistan, locals say
About 130 U.S. troops have crossed from Afghanistan into Pakistan looking for Taliban or al Qaeda fighters, Pakistani intelligence sources and local authorities said Sunday, in what is believed to be the fifth such operation in two weeks. The Americans crossed into the Pakistani tribal territory of North Waziristan on Saturday after exchanging "hard words" with Pakistani border scouts, intelligence sources said. Local officials said the U.S. convoy included 14 vehicles and an estimated 130 troops. It was the second time in less than a week that U.S. troops crossed the border without Pakistani permission. Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on Friday called the incursions "totally unacceptable" and said they would only encourage critics of Pakistanâs cooperation with the United States. Three other incursions were reported the previous week, and Pakistan has officially protested two of the violations. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Saturday that if the reports are true, "it would be unhelpful. Iâm sure it would be an accident, and weâll take precautions to make sure it doesnât happen again," he said.Posted by: Paul Moloney 2004-05-24 |
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