Pakistan's Foreign Minister says US not hunting Osama on its turf

New York, July 13 : Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that there are no US or other foreign military personnel on the hunt for Osama bin Laden in the tribal areas, and none will be allowed in to search for the top al-Qaeda leader.

In an interview with foreign news agency, Qureshi said his nation's new government has ruled out such military operations, covert or otherwise, to catch militants.

"Our government's policy is that our troops, paramilitary forces and our regular 'forces are deployed in sufficient numbers. They are capable of taking action there. And any foreign intrusion would be counterproductive," he said on Saturday.

"People will not accept it. Questions of sovereignty come in," Qureshi added.

Pakistan's newly elected civilian government is negotiating with tribal elders to secure peace with militants along the Afghan border in hopes of curbing a surge in violence.

It is a step back from the heavy-handed tactics pursued by the previous government led by supporters of President Pervez Musharraf, The News reported.

ANI