FORMER Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf has said his country may take retaliatory military action should the US breach its national borders again to capture a terrorist.
His comments follow the capture and killing of al-Qa’ida leader Osama bin Laden, who had been hiding out in a compound in Abbottabad in the country’s north.
In that operation, the US sent a Navy SEAL team to capture bin Laden, without previously informing the Pakistani government.
In the interview, to be shown on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight at 9pm AEST, Mr Musharraf says the incursion was an “act of war”.
“Certainly, no country has a right to intrude into any other country. Actually, I mean, technically or legally you see it it’s an act of war,” Mr Musharraf said.
If the US conducted a similar military mission in the future, Mr Musharraf said Pakistan could resort to military recourse.
“How to deal with (an act of war) is the question. I leave it to the government there how they want to deal with it. Diplomatically, through dealings, through protest or through physical military action and military response.
“It could be a serious situation. We must understand that. The world should understand it and President Obama should understand it.”
Mr Musharraf’s comments come as diplomatic tensions between the US and Pakistan reach breaking point, with reports the US will soon start withdrawing intelligence personnel.
Three military intelligence cells in Peshawar and Quetta are responsible for coordinating information gained on the whereabouts and planned actions of terrorists, which is then communicated to Pakistani authorities.
It is understood Pakistan requested the reduction of the US military presence.
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