By Xinhua
Islamabad : Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf Friday rejected claims by tribesmen that innocent people are targeted and killed in the tribal areas under the pretext of military operations.
Some local tribal people blamed the army for showing carelessness while conducting operations against al-Qaeda suspects and pro-Taliban elements hiding in the tribal regions, bordering Afghanistan.
"Only terrorists were attacked after precise information and intelligence gathering," Musharraf told a media workshop at the National Defense University here.
He warned that any terrorist attack in the world will have incalculable consequences for Pakistan if terrorists are not eliminated.
The president said negative activities, extremism and terrorism will only scare away the foreign investors and would seriously hamper the country's economic development.
He said the security of the country is the basic responsibility of the armed forces and the peace can only be achieved by the position of strength.
Musharraf warned that any effort to damage integrity, security and sovereignty of Pakistan would be countered massively.
The president called upon the media to extend a helping hand to the government in making Pakistan an enlightened and moderate state and in the fight against extremism and terrorism.