Pakistani Army Chiefs Meet Over U.S. Allegations

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani

Top Pakistani Army commanders and political leaders held meetings on September 25 following U.S. allegations that the military's spy agency helped militants attack American targets in Afghanistan.

Military spokesman General Athar Abbas said after the meeting that "the prevailing military situation was discussed," without providing any additional details.

Senior Pakistani officials have sharply criticized allegations by Washington that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency supported the Haqqani militant network in its September 13 attack against the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani rejected the claim, saying it is a sign of U.S. "confusion" over Afghanistan.

"We strongly reject assertions of complicity with the Haqqanis or of proxy war. It will only benefit the enemies of peace. Only terrorists and militants will gain from any fissures and divisions," he said. "Pakistan's credentials and sacrifices in the counterterrorism campaign are impeccable and unquestionable."

The latest dispute is part of an ongoing war of words between Pakistan and the United States.

Washington has long accused Pakistan of maintaining links to militants, despite giving Pakistan billions of dollars in military and economic aid in exchange for its support in the war on terror.

In the United States, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Washington should consider military action to defend troops in Afghanistan from threats emanating from Pakistan if Pakistan's intelligence agencies continue to support terrorists.

compiled from agency reports