Pakistan warned over amnesty offer to militants

The US' top commander in Afghanistan has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to fight Taliban and al-Qaida militants along the border, saying appeasing extremists will only put off an inevitable battle.

Lieutenant General David Barno also voiced caution about prospects for catching al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, saying it was ”too early to tell” if a new US strategy aimed at winning the trust of ordinary Afghans would yield crucial intelligence.