Petraeus: Pakistan strikes kill top militants

[unhappycamper]

Petraeus: Pakistan strikes kill top militants
By Fisnik Abrashi - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 6, 2008 11:39:09 EST

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — U.S. missile strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas in recent months have killed three of the top 20 extremist leaders there, causing a blow to insurgents threatening nuclear-armed Pakistan’s very existence, a top U.S. general said Nov. 6.

Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the new chief of U.S. Central Command, said controversial airstrikes launched into Pakistan’s unruly tribal areas in the past three months were a topic of conversation with every Pakistani leader he met this week. Pakistani leaders have criticized the missile strikes as a violation of their sovereignty.

“Certainly, there does have to be a better explanation of the blows that have been struck in recent weeks and months,” Petraeus told The Associated Press in an interview. “It is hugely important that three of 20 extremist leaders have been killed in recent months.”

Petraeus did not identify the extremist leaders he said died in the U.S. strikes.

There have been more than 17 reported airstrikes since August in Pakistan’s tribal areas, a region awash in Taliban and al-Qaida militants who launch attacks in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_afghanstrike_petraeus_110608w/%2e