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US warning on militants hurting ties: FO
ISLAMABAD: The US warning on militants based in Pakistan goes against counter-terrorism cooperation between the two allies, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.
"We believe these remarks are not in line with the cooperation that exists between the two countries," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua.
She was referring to comments by Defence Secretary Leon Panetta that the United States would do whatever it takes to defend American forces in Afghanistan from Pakistan-based militants.
US officials, including Defense Secretary Leon Panetta,suspect militants from the Haqqani network were behind Tuesday's rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy compound in Kabul , as well as a truck bomb last Saturday that wounded 77 American forces.
"Time and again we've urged the Pakistanis to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis. And we have made very little progress in that area," Panetta told reporters flying with him to San Francisco on Wednesday.
"I think the message they need to know is: we're going to do everything we can to defend our forces." Pakistani officials said there was no proof of such cross-border operations.
"Pakistan and the United States have strategic cooperation. We hope to discuss these issues in a cooperative manner," Janjua told a news conference. (Reuters)
Courtesy www.geo.tv