Pak army vows to confront US attacks

Pakistani military reiterates it will not allow any incursions by the US-led NATO troops into its volatile tribal region near Afghan border.

There has been no change in the rules of engagement with the US forces and the Pakistani military will not permit any aerial or ground incursions by foreign troops, the security officials said at a briefing on anti-militancy operations in the North West Frontier Province and adjoining tribal belt.

The security sources said also the civilian government wanted the anti-militancy operations to "continue till the end".

The military assertion coincides with President Asif Ali Zardari's comments that Pakistan will not allow US forces to violate the country's sovereignty through cross-border raids.

Zardari, in an interview with CNN broadcast on Sunday, said that Pakistan's military is capable of quelling militant elements on its border with Afghanistan, adding that Pakistani troops "can do a better job than anybody else."

Pointing out that such attacks are counter-productive, Zardari said the US should share intelligence so that Pakistani forces could act against militants on the country's soil.

Pakistan has angrily protested the missile strikes in recent weeks, which have resulted in the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children.

Zardari and army comments came after Pakistani and US troops exchanged fire along the Pak-Afghan border last week during which - according to Washington's claims - two US military helicopters came under fire.

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