A pre-dawn raid conducted in Pakistan by US commandos from Afghanistan has been condemned by Pakistani officials as a breach of sovereignty, reflecting concerns that the US’ unilateral operations in the “war on terror” could foment social unrest in Pakistan, undermine the civilian government, and imperil US-Pakistani relations.

The raid occurred last Wednesday when three US helicopter gunships deployed Afghanistan-based troops to the Pakistani town of Musa Nikow in South Waziristan in order to capture high-value Pakistan Taliban and al-Qaeda targets.  US troops also raided three houses in the neighbouring village of Jalal Khel, killing 20 people, including women and children.