KABUL, Afghanistan, June 17 (UPI) -- Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai says his remarks about sending troops to go after militants hiding in Pakistan were not directed against his neighbor.
Speaking to Pakistani journalists in Kabul about his earlier warning about chasing Taliban militants in Pakistani territory, the Afghan leader said the two governments should join hands to wipe out the elements working against peace and stability on either side of the border, Dawn reported.
"I am very serious because it is a very serious matter. When Baitullah Mehsud and Mulla Fazl (militant leaders) make statements about going into Afghanistan to kill innocent people, what do you expect us to do? What would the government of Pakistan do in such a situation?" Karzai asked.
He stressed his remarks were not meant to show disrespect to the civilian government of Pakistan, but to point to his government's right to defend itself.
"If the government of Pakistan can bring to justice the two and the likes of them on its own, we have no objection, but we want results," Karzai said.
Pakistan has reacted strongly to Karzai's original remarks. Its foreign office summoned the Afghan ambassador to register its protest.
The BBC reported the United States has said cross-border raids from Pakistan are a growing problem.
