U.S. Drone Attacks May Widen in Pakistan

U.S. officials say the Obama administration is considering widening its drone strikes on al Qaeda and the Taliban inside Pakistan, and planning to bolster the training of Pakistan's forces in a key battleground where militants fuel the escalating Afghan insurgency.

Officials say the stepped-up moves against the militant networks could extend drone strikes farther south, beyond the current target areas in Waziristan and into Baluchistan. U.S. forces are also developing plans to expand their training of Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps into that province.

President Barack Obama cited the war against al Qaeda as his main goal in an address on Afghan strategy, but divulged no details on how he would carry it out.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the drone program is classified, and decisions on the training program are not yet final.