Perhaps after years of Pakistani double-dealing, the U.S. military is finally realizing it’s best to rely on itself in the war on terror. “Pakistan: US responsible for deadly attack, says military official,” from AKI, September 4 :
(AKI) – American forces were responsible for Wednesday’s deadly raid on a suspected Taliban haven near the Afghan border that has generated widespread condemnation in Pakistan, an unnamed senior official has said.
According to Pakistan’s Geo News, a senior US military official conceded US forces were behind the controversial assault on the alleged militant stronghold that took place on Wednesday in the South Waziristan tribal area.
Pakistan’s government has condemned the action which killed 20 people.
The US official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of cross border operations, said the raid occurred just inside Pakistan.
NATO helicopter gunships attacked the militants’ stronghold in the Angoor Adda area, less than two kilometres from the Afghan border.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Mehmood Qureshi, on Thursday called the incident in Angoor Adda shameful, regrettable and surprising.
No, minister, what is “shameful” and “regrettable” is when your so-called “ally” treacherously warns and supports your enemy. In light of that, there is nothing “surprising” when the betrayed — the U.S. — relies on itself to defeat its enemies.
According to the state agency, Associated Press of Pakistan, Qureshi said it was an “˜unforgivable incident” and that the country’s sovereignty had been violated despite its central role in the war against terrorism.
“Pakistan is committed to fight against extremism and terrorism and our track record proves that (the) Pakistan Army have laid down their lives to fight this monster,” he told the National Assembly.
[…]
Meanwhile Adnkronos International’s correspondent, Syed Saleem Shahzad, said that the British High Commission closed its visa application centre in the capital, Islamabad, because of a security threat.
The move came amid reports that 26 police recruits had been kidnapped by gunmen in the town of Hangu in North West Frontier Province.
[…]
Pakistan has been a US ally in its fight against Islamist militancy since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks but the US has been frustrated by Islamabad’s failure to destroy militant strongholds and stop extremists from moving into Afghanistan.
Well, it’s only had seven years to do so…