U.S. Steps Up Missile Strikes In Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — America has stepped up missile strikes against Al Qaeda militants in Pakistan's tribal areas amid fears of decreased cooperation from the new government.

Washington wants to inflict as much damage as it can on Al Qaeda's network before President Musharraf loses his grip on power, according to a report published yesterday.

Unnamed American officials told the Washington Post that the strikes followed a "tacit understanding" with Mr. Musharraf and the army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, that permits strikes on foreign rebels but not against Pakistani Taliban.

In the past three months, missiles fired by American Predator drones have hit at least three sites used by suspected Al Qaeda militants near the Afghan border.

One of the unnamed officials described the strikes as a "shake the tree" strategy designed to force Osama bin Laden and his key lieutenants out of hiding so that American intelligence can detect them.