New strain on US-Pakistan alliance-A US warning on militants based in Pakistan, blamed by Washington for this week's attack on the US embassy in Kabul, works against counter--terrorism cooperation between the two allies, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
The ministry was referring to comments by US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that the US would do whatever it takes to defend its forces in Afghanistan from Pakistan-based militants.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua said: "We believe these remarks are not in line with the cooperation that exists between the two countries."
US officials suspect militants from the Haqqani network were behind Tuesday's rocket attack on the US embassy compound in the Afghan capital, as well as a lorry bomb last Saturday that wounded 77 American forces.
Panetta said: "Time and again we have urged the Pakistanis to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis. And we have made very little progress.
"The message they need to know is we are going to do everything we can to defend our forces."
Pakistani officials said there was no proof of such cross-border operations.
The comments are likely to fuel tensions between the uneasy allies. Relations dropped to a low point after a US special forces raid killed Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani town in May.
Janjua said: "Pakistan and the US have strategic cooperation. We hope to discuss these issues in a cooperative manner."
Pakistani officials said it was the responsibility of US-led forces to crack down on militants when they enter Afghanistan.
A senior Pakistani military official said: "We are using all our resources to fight terrorism. As far as these issues, like Haqqani network launching attacks from Pakistani territory, are concerned, has any proof ever been given?"
A senior Pakistani government official involved in defence policy said the country was doing all it could to stop militants from crossing the border to Afghanistan.
"But if the militants are doing something inside Afghanistan, then it is the responsibility of the Afghan and Western forces to hold them on the borders," he said.
"They let everyone go scot-free on their side (of the border) and then they say Pakistan is not doing enough."
Salim Saifullah, chairman of the S-ffairs, said comments like Panetta's did not help.
The ministry was referring to comments by US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that the US would do whatever it takes to defend its forces in Afghanistan from Pakistan-based militants.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua said: "We believe these remarks are not in line with the cooperation that exists between the two countries."
US officials suspect militants from the Haqqani network were behind Tuesday's rocket attack on the US embassy compound in the Afghan capital, as well as a lorry bomb last Saturday that wounded 77 American forces.
Panetta said: "Time and again we have urged the Pakistanis to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis. And we have made very little progress.
"The message they need to know is we are going to do everything we can to defend our forces."
Pakistani officials said there was no proof of such cross-border operations.
The comments are likely to fuel tensions between the uneasy allies. Relations dropped to a low point after a US special forces raid killed Osama bin Laden in a Pakistani town in May.
Janjua said: "Pakistan and the US have strategic cooperation. We hope to discuss these issues in a cooperative manner."
Pakistani officials said it was the responsibility of US-led forces to crack down on militants when they enter Afghanistan.
A senior Pakistani military official said: "We are using all our resources to fight terrorism. As far as these issues, like Haqqani network launching attacks from Pakistani territory, are concerned, has any proof ever been given?"
A senior Pakistani government official involved in defence policy said the country was doing all it could to stop militants from crossing the border to Afghanistan.
"But if the militants are doing something inside Afghanistan, then it is the responsibility of the Afghan and Western forces to hold them on the borders," he said.
"They let everyone go scot-free on their side (of the border) and then they say Pakistan is not doing enough."
Salim Saifullah, chairman of the S-ffairs, said comments like Panetta's did not help.
