US denies extension of drone attacks in Baluchistan

Washington, Mar.20 (ANI): While Pakistan has raised serious concern over media reports about a possible extension of US drone attacks in Baluchihstan, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has denied that such a plan is being charted out by the Obama administration.

Addressing a regular Pentagon press briefing, Gates rejected media reports that said Washington is worried about the activities of the Quetta shura in Balochistan.

"I think this is principally a problem and a challenge for the Pakistanis to take on. And as we have indicated, we are prepared to do anything we can to help them do that," Dawn quoted Gates, as saying.

Media reports had earlier claimed that the United States is planning to expand its military operation beyond the ungoverned tribal areas of Pakistan, and particularly had Baluchistan in mind , where top Taliban operatives are reportedly hiding .

Commenting on the eight year long US struggle to catch Osama Bin Laden, Gates said was pledged to catch Laden.

"It took the US Federal Investigation Agency 17 years to catch convicted Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski. To a certain extent, I think too many people go to too many movies. Finding these guys is really hard, and especially if they have some kind of a support network," he added. (ANI)