Pakistan says US target threat 'irresponsible and dangerous'

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Friday called White House comments that US forces could unilaterally strike militant targets inside the country "irresponsible and dangerous."
The White House a day earlier refused to rule out striking at suspected terrorist targets inside Pakistan near the Afghan border and would not say whether US forces would first seek permission from Islamabad.
"Such comments and calls are irresponsible and dangerous," a Pakistan foreign ministry statement said.
"First and foremost Pakistan is combating extremism and terrorism in its own national interest. Secondly, Pakistan and the United States are partners in the international campaign against terrorism."
Washington has stepped up the pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to hit Islamist militants along the Afghan border, even as a mosque raid has sparked a deadly wave of suicide attacks that have killed more than 200 people.

07/20/2007 14:36 GMT