US attack in Pakistan may fuel terror

LONDON: American raids on Taliban and Al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan could provoke terror attacks in London, Pakistan’s high commissioner to the UK warned on Saturday. Wajid Shamsul Hasan said the US bombings had killed hundreds of civilians but had failed to eliminate any Al-Qaeda leader. “This will infuriate Muslims in this country and make the streets of London less safe,” he said.

“There are 1m Pakistanis in the diaspora here and resentment is mounting. I’m being flooded by text messages from community leaders saying we must organise our anger, TimesOnline reported.

“The Americans’ trigger-happy actions will radicalise young Muslims. They’re playing into the hands of the very militants we’re supposed to be fighting.” His remarks followed outrage in Pakistan over five attacks in the past 10 days, including a ground assault in a village in which 20 people were killed. US officials say all were Al-Qaeda supporters but Pakistan insists they were civilians, including women and children.

Pakistan president, Asif Ali Zardari, arrived in Britain on Sunday to hold crisis talks with Gordon Brown and David Miliband, the foreign secretary. He will appeal to them to exert their influence to halt the unauthorised bombings.