ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Pakistani army says it can’t launch any new offensives against militants for six months to a year to give it time to stabilize existing gains.
Army spokesman Gen. Athar Abbas revealed the news to reporters traveling with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday.
The U.S. has pressed Pakistan to target militants using its territory to launch cross-border attacks against coalition troops in Afghanistan.
But Abbas’ comments make clear that Pakistan will remain focused in the short-term on operations targeting militants waging war against the state.
The Pakistani army launched a major ground offensive against the Pakistani Taliban’s main stronghold in the South Waziristan tribal area in mid-October.
