US lawmakers call for withdrawal of 'secret' American troops operating in Pakistan

Washington, July 24(ANI): Two US lawmakers have proposed a bill demanding the withdrawal of all American troops from Pakistan.

The resolution, expected to be taken up in the House of Representatives next week, would require the Obama administration to pull American military trainers out of Pakistan by the end of the year.

"We have known that US forces have been operating in secret inside the territories of Pakistan without congressional approval," The Daily Times quoted Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic Representative, as saying.

Citing the 1973 War Powers Resolution, introduced after the Vietnam War, Kucinich said that the Obama administration had violated the Act, as it "only allows the President to send US armed forces into military operations abroad if the Congress approves the decision or if the US is under a serious threat or attack".

"It is our constitutional responsibility as members of the Congress to act," he added.

Meanwhile, Republican Ron Paul said that the US military has "significantly increased" its operations in Pakistan, without providing figures.

There are about 200 military personnel in Pakistan, and up to 120 are assigned to train the Pakistani military in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.

The US Special Operations Forces has also been allowed to operate alongside Pakistan military's Frontier Corps on humanitarian missions.

However, US officials revealed that that the teams join the Pakistani troops only when commanders determine that there is relatively little security risk.

The U.S. troops are allowed to defend themselves and return fire if attacked, but the official emphasized the joint missions are not supposed to be combat operations.

This is an important move considering Pakistan's long stated objection to allowing any foreign troops from operating on its soil. (ANI)