WASHINGTON, Jan 16: Increasing violence inside the country has forced Pakistan to seek greater US cooperation in fighting terrorists in the tribal region, a top US commander said on Wednesday.

Admiral William J. Fallon, head of US Central Command, which covers the region that includes Pakistan, said the US military would now play a greater role in training Pakistani forces. The US military would also provide technical advice to Pakistani troops.

Talking to reporters in Florida, Admiral Fallon said he believes the security situation in Pakistan has encouraged its leaders to be more receptive to a greater US role in the fight against terrorists.

“They see they’ve got real problems internally,” he said. “My sense is there is an increased willingness (in Pakistan) to address these problems and we’re going to try to help them.”

He said the US military would play a “more robust” role there, but did not elaborate.

The US involvement in the fight against extremists is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan.

On Jan 11, President Pervez Musharraf warned that US troops would be regarded as invaders if they crossed into Pakistan to hunt Al Qaeda.

Top US officials responded to the president’s statement by saying that they are increasingly concerned about the security in Pakistan, but it is up to the Pakistanis to solve their problem.

Admiral Fallon noted that there has been another change in Pakistan’s defence strategy, shifting their focus from India to the terrorists hiding in the tribal region.