Pakistan Warns US Against Future Unilateral Military Action

Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Thursday lashed out at the United States for not consulting his government ahead of the operation that killed Osama bin Laden.

Bashir warned the U.S. there would be "disastrous consequences," if it carries out any other unilateral raids against suspected terrorists in its country.

He also dismissed suggestions that Pakistani security forces are complicit with al-Qaida, and said its counterterrorsim record is unmatched.

Bashir also said U.S. and Pakistani sources confirmed the man killed in Monday's raid was indeed bin Laden.

Bashir also said Thursday the United States is an important friend of Pakistan, and his country appreciates comments by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reaffirming that relationship.

He offered some new details about the Pakistani military's response to the operation that killed bin Laden, saying that the military first knew something was happening when one of the U.S. helicopters crashed.

Pakistan's air force responded by sending two F-16 jets, he said, but by the time they arrived at the site the operation was over and the American forces were gone.

Also Thursday, Clinton said the battle to stop al-Qaida and its affiliates does not end with bin Laden's death, and that Pakistan is an important partner in counterterrorism efforts.

Speaking in Rome, Clinton said the U.S. relationship with Pakistan is not always easy, but is productive for both countries. Your Ads Here