QUETTA, Pakistan: A Pakistani minister has warned the United States against launching missile strikes against the Taleban in his southwestern province, as a furor brewed over militant hideouts here.
“America will never make the mistake of drone strikes in Baluchistan,” said Aslam Raisani, chief minister of a province troubled by attacks by both separatist rebels and Taleban insurgents.
Raisani’s comments come after the London Times on Sunday quoted unnamed sources as saying US drone strikes could target Taleban leader Mullah Omar, an Afghan reported to have carved out a safe haven in Baluchistan’s Quetta city.
Foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit told local Geo television channel that the reports of a so-called “Quetta Shoura” — a council of Afghan Taleban in the city — were based on “speculation” and urged the US to share information. “If the US has some intelligence report they should share it with Pakistan,” he said.
— With input from agencies
