Pakistan army commander: U.S. keep out

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The commander of the Pakistani army has warned the United States against sending forces from Afghanistan into Pakistan to pursue Taliban and al-Qaida fighters.

Pakistani Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who succeeded former President Pervez Musharraf as army chief in November, issued a statement Wednesday, The New York Times reported.

"No external force is allowed to conduct operations inside Pakistan," he said.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who was sworn in Tuesday, has been widely criticized for refusing to rebuke the United States for a Sept. 3 raid, which Special Forces allegedly carried out without informing Pakistan.

An official told the Times that the Pakistani government is aware of a new U.S. policy to carry out cross-border raids without seeking prior permission. Kayani, in his statement, rejected that policy.

"There is no question of any agreement or understanding with the coalition forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border," he said.