Karzai in favour of sending troops into neighbour Pakistan
Sunday, 15 Jun 2008 14:28
The Afghan president is in favour of pursuing militants across the border into Pakistan
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Afghan president Hamid Karzai has said he is willing to send troops into neighbouring Pakistan in order to deal with militants in the border areas.
Mr Karzai said his country was entitled to pursue those crossing the border to launch attacks, into Pakistan as it would be an act of self defence.
He said: "Afghanistan has the right of self defense. When they cross the territory from Pakistan to come and kill Afghans and kill coalition troops, it exactly gives us the right to go back and do the same."
He also publicly warned known militant Baitullah Mehsud, the self-proclaimed leader of the Taliban in Pakistan, that he would be pursued in the area.
Mr Karzai said: "Therefore, Baitullah Mehsud should know that we will go after him now and hit him in his house."
Pakistan denies allegations that it is providing a safe haven for Taliban in the area and states that it is doing its best to stop infiltration and deal with terrorists operating from the area.
Pakistan supported the Taliban movement until the events of September 11th, 2001 when it aligned itself with the US and joined the war on terror. It has always refused to have foreign troops on its soil stating that it is sovereign over its own territory.
There was an increase in tension between the two countries last week after a US air strike from Afghanistan into Pakistan's tribal areas killed eleven Pakistani soldiers.
