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18-03-09 US may escalate 'war on terror' by striking deeper into Pakistan

Foreign ministry warns against 'counterproductive' air strikes and commando raids.Washington is considering expanding its controversial policy of missile strikes and commando raids deeper inside Pakistan,according to reports this morning.In what would be a major escalation of the "war on terror",the New York Times reported that the US may push its firepower into Pakistan's vast,economically backward, Baluchistan province.Washington has so far targeted militants based in Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal areas,which run along Afghanistan's eastern border.Baluchistan,however,is a "settled" region and considered a regular part of the country.However,the province,and especially its capital,Quetta,has long been considered the home of the Afghan Taliban and an important sanctuary for al-Qaida.This morning's reports drew a sharp reaction inside Pakistan."The United States would be pouring petrol on the 'war on terror' by these methods," said Munawar Hassan,secretary general of Jamaat-i-Islami,the biggest mainstream religious party."The United States has no message of peace for the world,they can only talk through arms and armaments."Pakistan has opposed the use of US missile strikes in its tribal area,which have killed some leading al-Qaida commanders but also led to the death of innocent civilians.Islamabad complains that the attacks,from unmanned "drone" aircraft operated by the CIA,are a flagrant breach of Pakistani sovereignty