U.S. Military Seeks to Expand Raids in Pakistan

[Kunal Biswas]

U.S. Military Seeks to Expand Raids in Pakistan

By MARK MAZZETTI and DEXTER FILKINS
Published: December 20, 2010

WASHINGTON — Senior American military commanders in Afghanistan are pushing for an expanded campaign of Special Operations ground raids across the border into Pakistan's tribal areas, a risky strategy reflecting the growing frustration with Pakistan's efforts to root out militants there.

America's clandestine war in Pakistan has for the most part been carried out by armed drones operated by the C.I.A. Additionally, in recent years, Afghan militias backed by the C.I.A. have carried out a number of secret missions into Pakistan's tribal areas.

Ground operations in Pakistan remain controversial in Washington, and there may be a debate over the proposal. One senior administration official said he was not in favor of cross-border operations — which he said have been generally "counterproductive" — unless they were directed against top leaders of Al Qaeda. He expressed concern that political fallout in Pakistan could negate any tactical gains.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/world/asia/21intel.html?_r=1&hp