Pakistani hard-liners warn that tribesmen would fire on U.S. forces if their operations cross border

Associated Press | January 30, 2004

[HAL9000]

Pakistani hard-liners warn that tribesmen would fire on U.S. forces if their operations extend across border

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- A hardline Islamic coalition warned on Friday that tribesmen might fire on U.S. forces if a planned "spring offensive" against terror suspects extended into Pakistan.

Riaz Durrani, spokesman for the opposition coalition Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, which controls two Pakistani provinces bordering Afghanistan, said any move by Washington to deploy forces there would be a "historic mistake."

A U.S. official in Washington hinted this week that a planned effort to step up the hunt for Taliban or al-Qaida fugitives at the end of the winter could extend into Pakistan. For the past two years, thousands of U.S. forces have been operating in southern and eastern Afghanistan, but say they haven't crossed the rugged border.

Pakistan is a key U.S. ally in its war on terrorism, but said Thursday it would not allow U.S. troops on its soil.

The MMA - also known as the United Action Forum - nevertheless said it would raise the issue in Parliament and threatened street protests if Washington did get the green light to operate inside Pakistan.

"If Pakistan gives permission to America for conducting military operations in tribal regions, it will be very dangerous," Durrani said. "In such a situation, the (U.S.) army will face bullets from the tribesmen."

He said so far tribesmen in the border regions, which are largely autonomous from the central government, are showing restraint toward the presence of the Pakistani military, which have launched a number of operations to hunt down al-Qaida fugitives.

"We are urging them not to resist against the army," Durrani said. "But if Americans go into their areas, the tribesmen will not listen to us."

Osama bin Laden and his top lieutenants are believed to be in hiding in the border regions - possibly inside Pakistan - and sympathies for the Taliban run high among the deeply conservative tribal people who live there.

The U.S.-backed Afghan government has complained that resurgent Taliban rebels are operating from Pakistani territory and launching cross-border assaults.

In Afghanistan, the U.S. military has declined to comment on the reported plans, saying it doesn't comment on future operations. However, a military spokesman in Kabul said Thursday that U.S. forces were "sure" they will catch bin Laden this year.

Pakistan says it has arrested more than 500 al-Qaida followers over the past two years and many of them have been handed over to the United States. </blockquote?

[RightWhale]

tribesmen might fire on U.S. forces

Possibly a bad idea.

[BenLurkin]

Bump

[Viking2002]

Then U.S. forces will probably fire on tribesmen. Simple enough? LMAO

[SeeRushToldU_So]

The tribesman will find out PDQ that firing on the US is a really bad idea.

We own the night!

[1stFreedom]

That's what the taliban said.. it's what the Iraqi's said.

[dagnabbit]

If Pakistan doesn't control all its territory, then it has no say in what the U.S. might have to do in the uncontrolled parts.

[JediForce]

Calling Doctor Howard, Doctor Dennis, Doctor John. They of course will demand we clear this with the almighty United Nations.

[Finalapproach29er]

MOAB? Daisy Cutter?

[CarryaBigStick]

Then we'll fire back, and we won't miss.

[stumpy]

Do the "tribesmen" know how to play BINGO? B-1, B-2, B-52. A very "simple" game.

[Vigilanteman]

"If Pakistan gives permission to America for conducting military operations in tribal regions, it will be very dangerous," Durrani said. "In such a situation, the (U.S.) army will face bullets from the tribesmen."

I wouldn't even rule out tac nukes. As far as I'm concerned the entire OBL loving area can be turned into a giant box of kitty litter.

[armymarinemom]

A lot of these tribesmen are already firing on our troops. They cross the border to start trouble then run back.

[GeronL]

Now its time for another Bad Idea, good Idea

Kissing US military butt.... good idea

Firing upon US forces..... BAD idea

[Growler]

Normally I might agree, but not this year. We need Bin Laden to be captured alive, or at least have a recognizable (not atomized) corpse.

When a military spokesman says U.S. Forces will catch Bin Laden "this year," I think he really means "before the first Tuesday in November." The U.S. military LOVES 'W' and I think they will do anything they can to give this to him.

[Jumper]

I am quite sure that limited response would follow any fire on US troops by taking out those positions/grid squares.... As North Korea found out in 1979-1980 timeframe, any position that fired was in turn fired on itself, with each successive air raid hitting any and all positions that fired, until as such time fire stopped happening:)

[CarryaBigStick]

Actually, I was thinking of something more personal like a Ka-Bar jammed into the base of there skulls.

[CarryaBigStick]

Pardon me, their skulls. Anyway, you get the idea. Something very up close and very personal if you get my drift.