US poised for ‘hot pursuit’ raids in Pak: Report

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Posted online: Thursday , July 10, 2008 at 05:38:32
Updated: Thursday , July 10, 2008 at 05:38:32
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Washington, July 10: US commandos “are poised” to carry out “hot pursuit” raids into Pakistan’s restive tribal areas to stem mounting Taliban attacks against US troops in Afghanistan, a media report said on Thursday.

Three Texas congressmen briefed during a trip to the region said the “plans for stepped-up US military operations are in response to Pakistan’s failure to disrupt terrorist training camps and cross-border attacks from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas,” the Houston Chronicle reported.

The Bush administration is recalibrating US operations in the region because of the increase in violent attacks against US-led forces in Afghanistan that have pushed US casualties for the month of June beyond the monthly toll in Iraq, the lawmakers-- Gene Green, Henry Cuellar (Democrats) and Michael McCaul (Republican) told the Chronicle.

Cuellar said that “either Pakistan does more or we will be taking things into our own hands,” adding: “If our troops are fired on, there will be hot pursuit into that territory.” The State Department did not respond to a request for comment, the Chronicle said.

Pakistan’s ineffective campaign makes it “imperative that US forces be allowed to pursue the Taliban and al-Qaida in tribal areas inside Pakistan,” McCaul insisted.

“If we don’t do something now, they’re going to strike us again (in the United States) and it is going to be out of this area.” U.S. Predator aircraft, pilotless drones, have reportedly carried out at least four missile strikes against suspected terrorists inside Pakistan so far this year, killing at least 45 people.

The Congressmen said their delegation met President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani last week urging additional action against Islamic militants in the tribal territories.