Intelligence on al Qaeda network given to Pakistan: US

The US has provided intelligence to Pakistan about senior al Qaeda leaders allegedly hiding in its tribal region, said senior White House aide Frances Townsend.

Washington, July 24 : The US has provided intelligence to Pakistan about senior al Qaeda leaders allegedly hiding in its tribal region, said senior White House aide Frances Townsend.

Townsend told CNN regarding Pakistan's demand to provide intelligence about the alleged hideouts instead of threatening it with direct strikes.

Appearing on CNN's "Late Edition," Foreign Minister Kurshid Kasuri had warned US troops against bypassing the Pakistani military in any operation.

He said, "If you have superiority in technical intelligence, please share that with us."

Kasuri added that the US would lose "the battle for hearts and minds" if it took direct military action inside its territory.

Responding to Kasuri's criticism, Townsend said that the US provided intelligence to Pakistan.

"We work quite closely with them. While I understand Kasuri's anger, we should also be clear that we believe Pakistan has been a very good ally in the war on terrorism," Townsend said.

But she added: "No question that we will use any instrument at our disposal to deal with the problem of Osama bin Laden and Zawahiri, and the al Qaeda."

ANI