Top Pak armyman warns repeated attacks by US-led forces can harm bilateral ties

Rawalpindi, July 29 : A top Pakistani security official has said that recurrent missile attacks in Pakistan by US-led coalition forces could harm bilateral relations, and added that Pakistan's sovereignty should be respected.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Tariq Majid told this to a visiting US commander on Monday, said a statement released by ISPR (Inter Services Public Relations).

"Expressing concern over repeated cross-border missile attacks/firing by coalition and Afghan forces, Gen Tariq said that our sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. He added that any violation in this regard could be detrimental to bilateral relations," an ISPR statement quoted Tariq as telling Acting CENTCOM chief Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey.

According to the statement, Majid "also re-emphasised that Pakistan's armed forces are capable of handling any challenges to our security". He added that it was important to give the political process a chance to reach a 'real' solution to terrorism.

The statement said that Majid also conveyed reservations against Afghan allegations of Pakistani involvement in the recent bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul. Dempsey also called on COAS General Ashfaq Kayani.

ANI