Source: Political gateway

NEW YORK — United States officials reportedly have reached a quiet agreement with Pakistani leadership to step up secret air strikes against suspected terrorists.

The New York Times says the strikes would use pilotless Predator aircraft launched in Pakistan.

But the Bush administration is said to be concerned the plan may be curtailed or scuttled by changes in Pakistan’s government.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf’s party lost in this week’s parliamentary elections by margins said to surprise American officials.

The new arrangements allow, among other things, an increase in the number and scope of patrols and strikes by armed surveillance aircraft launched from a secret base in Pakistan. This is reported to be a far more aggressive strategy to attack al-Qaida and the Taliban than had existed before.

However, the two winning parties have said they want to enter talks with Pashtun tribal leaders who oppose the Musharraf’s military-backed government and who sometimes support the Taliban.

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Tags: Pakistani leadership, Predator aircraft, Terrorists, United States officials