ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan protested to the U.S. on Thursday over a deep cross-border missile strike.
Pakistani intelligence officials say the U.S. has staged about 20 missile strikes on Pakistani territory since August, almost all of them aimed at the lawless tribal region along the Afghan border. But for the first time Wednesday, the missiles targeted militants beyond the tribal areas, deeper inside Pakistan. Six suspected insurgents were killed.
The strikes have strained relations between the allies, who are fighting al-Qaeda and Taliban militants blamed for attacks on U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan as well as within Pakistan. Pakistan, calling the attack a “great provocation,” said the U.S. strikes undermine public support for fighting insurgents.
Militant leader Hafiz Gul Bahadur warned that his men would launch suicide attacks around the country unless the strikes stop.
