Pakistan Angry, But Vows To Fight Terror

Presidential Front-Runner Says Country Stands With U.S. Amid Backlash Over First Ground Raid

(CBS/AP)  Pakistan's presidential front-runner said in a newspaper column Thursday he stands with the U.S. against international terrorism, comments that appeared amid growing furor over an American-led cross-border attack in Pakistani territory.

The raid in the South Waziristan tribal region was the first known foreign ground assault in Pakistan against a Taliban haven. The Pakistani government summoned the U.S. ambassador to protest the incursion, which officials said killed at least 15 people, including civilians.

The boldness of the thrust fed speculation about the intended target. But it was unclear whether any extremist leader was killed or captured in the operation, which occurred in one of the militant strongholds dotting a frontier region considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda's No. 2 leader, Ayman al-Zawahri.

U.S. officials told CBS News national security correspondent David Martin a small team of commandos crossed the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan to go after an al Qaeda cell operating out of a village less than a mile from the border. The leader of the cell - whose name the officials did not release - was reportedly killed along with several women and at least one child. The American military maintains the women were shot because they were firing at U.S. troops.

However, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi condemned the attack in an impassioned speech to lawmakers Thursday, saying it "violated the sovereignty of Pakistan." He also said "no important terrorist or high-value target" was killed.

"Innocent citizens, including women and children, have been targeted," Qureshi said. The ministry's spokesman said officials had no indication U.S. forces captured anyone in the raid.

Pakistan's Senate and National Assembly passed resolutions Thursday condemning the attack.

A Pakistan army spokesman warned that the apparent escalation from suspected U.S. missile strikes on militant targets along the Afghan border would further anger Pakistanis and undercut cooperation in the war against terrorist groups.

The operation came days before Pakistan's weekend presidential election and threatened to complicate an already difficult relationship between the two countries.

U.S. commanders have pushed Pakistan to put more pressure on militant groups blamed for mounting violence in Afghanistan. That has stirred speculation that U.S. forces might lash out across the frontier, despite the risk of angering Pakistanis.

Suspected U.S. missile attacks killed at least two al Qaeda commanders this year in the northwest, drawing protests from Pakistan's government that its sovereignty was under attack. U.S. officials did not acknowledge any involvement in those attacks.

The main ruling Pakistan People's Party is generally considered in line with U.S. goals in the war on terror, but it has to tread carefully because of deep anti-American sentiment in the country. Many Pakistanis blame their country's partnership with the U.S. in the war on terror for fueling rising militancy in their country.

People's Party leader, Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of assassinated ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is the leading candidate in Saturday's presidential vote by lawmakers.

In a column for The Washington Post, Zardari described global terrorism as chief among the challenges facing his country. The column mentioned an apparent assassination attempt against Pakistan's prime minister on Wednesday but did not mention the earlier cross-border raid.

"We stand with the United States, Britain, Spain and others who have been attacked," wrote Zardari, whose wife was killed in a gun and suicide blast in December. "Fundamentally, however, the war we our fighting is our war. This battle is for Pakistan's soul."

A lawmaker from the chief opposition party, that of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on Thursday blasted the U.S. for the attack.

"The American war against terrorism has become a war against Pakistan, and the killing of people by them at Angoor Ada is a clear example of it," Zafar Ali Shah said.

American officials say destroying militant sanctuaries in Pakistani tribal regions is key to defeating Taliban-led militants in Afghanistan whose insurgency has strengthened every year since the fundamentalist militia was ousted for harboring bin Laden.

After initial attempts to reach peace deals with fundamentalist Islamic groups in the northwestern tribal areas, Pakistan's government has stepped up an offensive in recent weeks. A firefight and air strikes killed 37 Islamic militants in the volatile region, Pakistani officials said Thursday.

Some U.S. officials have been pressing President George W. Bush to direct American troops in Afghanistan to be more aggressive in pursuing militants into Pakistan on foot as part of a proposed radical shift in regional counterterrorism strategy, the AP learned. The debate was the subject of a late July meeting at the White House of some of Mr. Bush's top national security advisers.

A U.S. commander told AP that U.S. troops in Afghanistan will step up offensive operations this winter because insurgents are increasingly staying in the country to prepare for spring attacks.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Schloesser said 7,000 to 11,000 insurgents operate in the eastern part of Afghanistan that he oversees - a far higher estimate than given by previous U.S. commanders.

He said the U.S. military realized more militants spent last winter in Afghanistan after speaking with elders and villagers who were pushed out of their homes. The spike in violence in the spring happened because insurgents were already in position to unleash attacks, though U.S. officials didn't know it at the time, he said.

Circumstances surrounding Wednesday's raid weren't clear, although U.S. rules of engagement allow American troops to pursue militants across the border into Pakistan when they are attacked.

However, Pakistan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said a so-called "hot pursuit" wasn't an issue, adding the attack "was completely unprovoked." He said Pakistani troops were near the village and saw and heard nothing to suggest the U.S. forces were pursuing insurgents.

Abbas said the attack was the first incursion onto Pakistani soil by troops from the foreign forces that ousted Afghanistan's hard-line Taliban regime after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the U.S.

He said the attack would undermine Pakistan's efforts to isolate Islamic extremists and could threaten NATO's major supply lines, which snake from Pakistan's Indian Ocean port of Karachi through the tribal region into Afghanistan.

Citing witness and intelligence reports, Abbas said troops flew in on at least one big CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter, blasted their way into several houses and gunned down men they found there. He said there was no evidence any of the dead were insurgents or that the raiders nabbed any militant leader, but he acknowledged Pakistan's military had no firsthand account.

There were differing reports on how many people were killed. The provincial governor claimed 20 civilians, including women and children, died. Army and intelligence officials, as well as residents, said 15 people were killed.

[mbievtea]

The situation in Afghanistan and -- in relation -- Pakistan is like a football game. You always hear when a better team is winning, but the lesser team is staying close; in other words, the better team is "letting them hang around" ... Pakistan has to find that thwarting Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the "tribal regions" is not only necessary from the stand-point of American success, but it is necessary for Parkistan''s security. What we need to continue to understand and keep in mind is that the more Al Qaeda and the Taliban think they have a chance, the longer this will last ... and we already know this is going to last a long while. Pacifying the public mood needs to be taken into account, but to be truly effective -- when you know you are right! -- you can''t be afraid of it either.

[questionnews]

Obama has said that Pakistan is his target on the war on terror.

Look out Pakistan! One of the brothers is going to intrude on your turf and pop a cap in your a.ss!
(And maybe score some smack)

Obama---my homey!!

[samsel3]

The administrations true interests are Cheney%u2019s energy policy.Condi Rice is a former board member of Chevron Oil and mouthpiece for the administrations energy policy.

Part of that policy is the The Caspian Sea pipelines which will go through Turkmenistan, Afghanistan,Pakistan, to the gulf of Oman and on to India & Nepal. The Caspian sea area holds one third of the world%u2019s oil and natural gas. South asia is their target market.
This pipeline was also the reason for the Afghanistan invasion. Cheney%u2019s energy policy is the root of all these middle east wars, a federal court judge sealed all documents associated with it for the administration, and the national media are not allowed to discuss or comment on it. More troops are needed in Afghanistan to protect the contractors building the pipeline.

Iran is planning pipelines with Russia to compete with British & US companies in southeast asian markets. Iran and Russia stand in the way of US & British control of these markets. The administration doesn t care all that matters to them are their freinds in BIG OIL & GAS and their corporate stock portfolios.

[hunterdon6]

I am sure glad that some of you aren''t running for President! Most of you sound like spoiled little children. Grow UP!

[hissteps4u]

Sadely you all give McVet a platform by even talking to him. it is obvious he is and has a malformed moral direction and mind. He thinks he his is a sound mind but all mentally challenged folks have the misunderstanding that the ability to speak means one is intellegent....

He is simply a hack with little to offer and even less to share except his currupt thinking process..

If he ever was a former Marine which is doubtful he certainly has no moral standing..

Simply ignore him if Ignorance is bliss he became a Blister long ago!!!!!!!!!!!

[deacon20081]

Let''''s just roll across the middle east and F*ck up any terrorists that we come across. You''''re either with us or against us.
Posted by guyfrompa49

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McSame pay for your posts? Bush implied before to All Americans that you are Aginst us or for the terrorists if he was not reelected.

[deacon20081]

Sorry McVet wrong to post such a curse word as "republican"

[deacon20081]

Mcvet you are a commie liberal aren''''''''t you! You love the idiot Obuma, you supposrt dedeat, you think that this sitting congress has done so much when they haven''''''''t done a damm thing! But sit on there as$ and say how they have done so much, they have the lowest rating in our conutry''''''''s history! lower than Bush! you moronic liberal freedom hater prick!


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Posted by zgomer !
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BRAVO! Only thing is Mcvet is not only a commie liberal; he thinks he is a Nazi.
Posted by scottyusa

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McVet is a 100% Grade A Republican his name should be McSheep.

[scottyusa]

Better that Iran be blamed. They can just say they had an "incident" while constructing a bomb and the catapult wasn''t setup yet to be aimed at Israel and unfortunately hit the wrong country. Better start rounding up all the virgins.

[Syndicate]

A couple nukes would solve this problem once and for all.

[bhrater-2009]

Barack Obama has said, on multiple occasions, that he supports taking actions against terrorists who flee across the border into Pakistan, if Pakistani officials are unable or unwilling to act. Obama''s position is consistent with U.S. policy, which Bush has acted on.

John McCain not only disagrees, he''s repeatedly criticized Obama''s policy, accusing him of wanting to "bomb our ally." Indeed, McCain recently suggested to CNN''s Larry King that he, as president, wouldn''t even pursue Osama bin Laden if he slipped past the border because "Pakistan is a sovereign nation."
We need to fight the people who attacked america on sept 11, and it would seem only one of the candidates wants to do that!

[scottyusa]

Mcvet you are a commie liberal aren''''t you! You love the idiot Obuma, you supposrt dedeat, you think that this sitting congress has done so much when they haven''''t done a damm thing! But sit on there as$ and say how they have done so much, they have the lowest rating in our conutry''''s history! lower than Bush! you moronic liberal freedom hater prick!


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Posted by zgomer !
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BRAVO! Only thing is Mcvet is not only a commie liberal; he thinks he is a Nazi.

[guadalcanal3]

mjlewis6...Peace with the Taliban??...Are you that naive?...The Taliban are a complete detriment to Afghanistan...They destroyed countless artifacts of Afghanistan''s history in order to strip the Afghan people of their identity so that they could be remolded and brainwashed into their despotic ''woman hating'' philosophy...The last thing Afghanistan needs is to make peace with the Taliban..it would be an accident ''waiting to happen''..making peace with the Taliban would be like making peace with the Nazi''s.

[mcvet-1]

the day that happens is the day the end of liberalism begins

Posted by libsluv2spit at 11:10 AM : Sep 04, 2008

How''s that? YOU fascist may think you can end democracy and decent but I got news for you!! It ain''t going to happen. Now lets hear ya! You want the head of your Gestapo to know you''re out here don''t you?? Ready?? SIEG HEIL McBUSH!!

[mcvet-1]

hey PAKISTAN!.... see how it is easy for USA to go into your country....... and may be in future... same way in the middle of the night.... we can control your NUCLEAR facilities!

Posted by Good4Always at 10:38 AM : Sep 04, 2008

Yep AND you think we had a rough time with Iraq?? ROFLMAO They had NO Air force nor Navy... little in the way of a standing Army! Starting a War with your Ally is about the dumbest thing I have EVER heard!! Isn''t that how we got in this mess... A VERY ignorant Incompetent LOSER making a decision and LYING to us about it!! Now lets hear ya!! SIEG HEIL McBUSH

[mcvet-1]

this has to do with pakistan , how?

Posted by jamesm12341 at 11:01 AM : Sep 04, 2008

Well Duh!? Guess who supports the BLUNDER that has us in this fix?? LOL Now repeat after me!! I am not a fascist! I am not a fascist! I will stop licking boots! I will think for myself!! SIEG HEIL McBUSH

[mcvet-1]

The people who cry the loudest,work for the guys who are doing the border raids,and probably the same person who shoots women and children ,too,throw upon a bombed out hiding place for terrorist and says looks what you have done.

Posted by beehive21 at 09:59 AM : Sep 04, 2008

Well these things do happen when you give the enemy a second chance. Now keep in mind here that THIS is the SAME enemy, with our help, defeated the Russian''s and Bush/McCain thought it was a good idea to invade Iraq before we had them. That is called INCOMPETENCE!! Obama 08

[mcvet-1]

Folks have you noticed how the BLUNDER by Bush, letting these people go and telling US that they were defeated and didn''t matter anymore? Then Invading a Nation that had NOTHING to do with the attack? If that isn''t the WORST Military Decision EVER in the history of this nation, tell me what is. Not only have we given up enormous wealth and so many of our youth and now must face an entrenched enemy, completely rebuilt and in ANOTHER Country. We''d better get Bush/McCain out of town while we have a nation to save!! Obama 08

[samsel3]

There are no benefits for Americans in Afghanistan. Your tax dollars and cumulative borrowed debt to finance these operations only benefit the corporations who purchased the oil& gas rights in the Caspian Sea Basin, for the construction of the Caspian Sea Pipelines........nothing more nothing less.

And the extermination continues:...........


February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

In his testimony he stated, "The key question is how the energy resources of Central Asia can be made available to nearby Asian markets ".

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan, which of course has it s own unique challenges. " He continued saying, " the pipeline we have proposed across Afghanistan could not begin until a recognized government is in place that has the confidence of governments,lenders (world monitary fund & world bank ) ,and our company "......"

UNOCAL and other American companies are prepared to undertake the job ".

[pirmin3]

If by "fighting terror" the ***''s business as usual then let''s get our billions back and sterilize the tribal regions. End of story.