LOC12:04
09:04 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- A US military chief is likely to visit
Pakistan on Wednesday to hold security talks with his counterparts amid
growing concern in Islamabad over repeated air and ground operations by US
troops that have killed dozens and tribal people.
Admiral Michael Mullen is expected to arrive here on Wednesday on a two-day
long visit, defence ministry sources told KUNA on Tuesday.
He will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart, General Ashfaq Pervez
Kayani, other senior military officials, as well as Prime Minister Syed Yousaf
Raza Gilani, said sources.
They said matters related to Pakistani-Afghan border security, war on
terrorism and ground and air operations by US-led coalition troops will come
under discussion.
The two sides will also exchange views on the new US strategy to fight
terrorism, they added.
The visit by Admiral Mullen comes amid growing anxiety in the bordering
tribal region where over 50 people, including women and children, were killed
in US missile attacks.
Pakistani tribesmen on Monday vowed to join the Taliban if the US failed to
stop cross-border attacks into their territory and threatened to target US
bases in Afghanistan.
"We will also seek support from the tribal elders in Afghanistan to fight
jointly against America," they announced.
President Asif Ali Zardari is currently visiting London where is scheduled
to hold talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and also likely to
discuss the issue with him.
Pakistan's military chief Pervez Kayani earlier this week said that the
Pakistani forces will defend its borders at all cost and no foreign troops
will be allowed to launch operation inside Pakistani territory.
Two US military helicopters on Monday crossed into Pakistan and tried to
land near Angor Adda area of South Waziristan tribal district along the Afghan
border before dawn. However, according to press reports, they were forced back
to Afghanistan by two jet planes of Pakistan Air Force (PAF). (end)
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KUNA 161204 Sep 08NNNN