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Pakistan warns United States against drone attacks
Pakistan has warned the United States that it will not allow drone attacks on suspected Taliban bases in its troubled Balochistan province, military sources have said.
The army chief's warning was disclosed amid growing tension over American claims that Islamabad was refusing to target the Taliban's 'Quetta Shura'–the leadership council of former Afghan ruler Mullah Omar.
Washington believes the 'shura' is plotting attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan from 'safe havens' in South-West Pakistan.
American State Department and intelligence officials are believed to have warned Pakistan President Asif Zardari that they will launch their own drone attacks on the shura if the Pakistan Army fails to target its bases.
Tensions between Washington and Islamabad increased earlier this week after American Ambassador Anne Patterson said the 'Quetta Shura' was now high on its list of priority targets.