Offensive strains relations in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Pakistan's counterinsurgency action in South Waziristan may be welcome in the United States but it is putting pressure on internal relations, officials say.

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama would like the Pakistani military to root out the Taliban and al-Qaida militants from these tribal areas, but many Pakistanis blame the United States as the military offensive has left other parts of Pakistan more vulnerable to militant attacks, The New York Times reported.

There have been a series of deadly terrorist attacks in several cities in recent weeks.

The report quoted Pakistan and Western officials saying that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is scheduled to visit nuclear-armed Pakistan this week, may confront Pakistani resentment over constant demands to do more against the militants.

There also is concern over the $7.5 billion U.S. civilian aid package which the powerful Pakistani military sees as an attempt to interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs.

On the South Waziristan offensive, Richard Holbrooke, special U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, was quoted as saying it needs to been seen whether the Pakistani army is only "dispersing" the terror groups or "destroying" them.

One Western military attaché told the Times that based on the number of troops fighting in the tribal region it was not clear if the army wants to "finish the task."

The civilian government of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is increasingly seen as slavishly pro-American, the officials told the Times.