Report: US Military Pushes for Pakistan Raids

A newspaper report says American commanders in Afghanistan want to launch expanded special operations raids into tribal areas of Pakistan where Islamist militants are known to find refuge.

Citing unnamed American officials in Washington, The New York Times is reporting that U.S. military commanders believe special operations forces could capture militants for interrogation, bringing in an intelligence windfall. American forces have made rare forays into Pakistan, but the newspaper said these raids would be more routine.

The plan, which could well trigger a backlash in Pakistan, would likely have to be approved by President Barack Obama.

The U.S. has mainly relied on unmanned drones to pursue al Qaeda militants based in Pakistan.