Pak protests US missile strikes

There have been at least 20 strikes in the last three months, reflecting US impatience over militants from Pakistan fueling the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan and fears that al-Qaeda fighters in northwest Pakistan could plan attacks in the West.

Pakistan says the attacks violate its sovereignty, undermine efforts to win public support for the fight against militancy, and make it harder to justify the US alliance.

Wednesday8217;s attack on Bannu district was unusual in that it took place deeper in Pakistani territory, in an area outside the semi-autonomous tribal lands bordering Afghanistan where most other attacks have focused.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir lodged 8220;a strong protest8221; over the 8220;two missiles fired by US drones on a residential compound in Bannu district8221;, a Foreign Ministry statement said. Bashir 8220;stressed that these attacks must be stopped8221;.

An embassy spokeswoman confirmed the ambassador had been summoned and said any message from the Pakistani Government would be conveyed to Washington, without elaborating further.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani called the missile attacks 8220;intolerable8221; and voiced hope President-elect Barack Obama8217;s Government would show more restraint.

8220;These kinds of acts are counter-productive8230; it adds to our problems,8221; Gilani said, adding he was sure when 8220;Obama8217;s government is formed, these attacks will be controlled.8221;

A diplomatic storm blew up in September after a US commando raid, and there has been no incursion by ground troops since.

Addressing NATO8217;s military committee in Brussels on Wednesday Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani also urged a halt to the use of unmanned 8220;combat aerial vehicles within Pakistani territory8221;.

Kayani met NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, and held meetings with Admiral Michael Mullen, US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and a French defence chief.

Earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry denied Pakistan had a secret agreement with Washington to publicly protest the attacks, while privately acquiescing.

The Pakistani Taliban, in a statement issued after a meeting of commanders in North Waziristan, threatened revenge attacks outside the tribal lands if missile attacks continued.

While the row over missile strikes simmered, NATO8217;s spokesman in Kabul, Brigadier General Richard Blanchette, said coordination with Pakistan has been improving.