Pak says US drone attacks 'intolerable'; Taliban vows revenge

Pakistan today denounced as "intolerable" the frequent American missile strikes targeting militants on its soil as the local Taliban threatened "revenge" in the event of another drone attack by the US-led forces based in Afghanistan.

Pakistan on Thursday denounced as "intolerable" the frequent American missile strikes targeting militants on its soil as the local Taliban threatened "revenge" in the event of another drone attack by the US-led forces based in Afghanistan.

HT Image

Angered by yesterday's drone attack in the restive Bannu district that killed six people including a top al-Qaeda militant, the Foreign Ministry here summoned US Ambassador Anne Patterson, who was told that such incidents violate Pakistan's sovereignty and should be stopped immediately.

"We condemn such actions. These attacks are intolerable. They are counter-productive. They are increasing our difficulties," Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani told the National Assembly, lower house of Parliament, after members raised the issue of Bannu attack.

A strong protest was lodged with the US Ambassador over the fresh missile attack, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad told the assembly.

Gilani also told the House that there is no understanding with the United States over missiles attacks.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Taliban warned of reprisal if another drone attack occurred in the troubled northwest.

"We will start revenge attacks across other districts if the US drone attacks do not stop after November 20," a Taliban spokesman said in a statement.