July 16, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 12, 1429

KHAR, July 15: The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has said that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s statement regarding presence of foreign militants in tribal areas is aimed at providing an excuse to the US and Nato forces to intervene in the region.

Talking to journalists on Tuesday, TTP spokesman Maulvi Mohammad Umar denied that there were any foreign militants in tribal areas and said the government would be responsible for any invasion by American and Nato forces.

He said resentment against the government was growing in the region because of the prime minister’s statement.

He said recent statements by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and American officials about the situation in tribal areas were an attack on the independence and sovereignty of Pakistan.

“Tribesmen won’t let any country launch a military action in the tribal areas and in case of an external aggression they will sacrifice their lives for defending the motherland,” the spokesman said.He said the Taliban and tribesmen were ready to wage a holy war against the Americans and were fully prepared to face any invading army.