Pakistan will ‘return fire’ if US raids again

PAKISTAN’S military has ordered its forces to open fire if US troops launch another air or ground raid across the Afghan border, an army spokesman said.

The orders — coming in response to a September 3 ground attack by US commandos — are certain to heighten tensions between the US and a key ally against terrorism. Although the attack was rare, there have been repeated reports of US drone aircraft striking militant targets, most recently on September 12.

Pakistani officials warn that stepped-up cross-border raids will accomplish little while fuelling violent religious extremism in nuclear-armed Pakistan. Some complain that the country is a scapegoat for the failure to stabilise Afghanistan.