AS some top American officials are reportedly urging President Bush to direct US troops in Afghanistan to be more aggressive in pursuing militants into Pakistan as part of a proposed radical shift in its regional counter-terrorism strategy, the State Department and some Pentagon officials have cautioned the Administration against stepping up military operations in Pakistan without specific approval from Islamabad. The plan, according to a report by the Associated Press, could include sending US special forces teams, temporarily assigned to the CIA, into the tribal areas to hit high-value targets. The issue figured prominently at a recent meeting of the deputies committee which stressed the need for giving Americans troops greater flexibility to operate against Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, who crossed the Durand Line to conduct attacks inside Afghanistan. That the Afghan Ambassador to US, Said T Jawad, has supported the plan, springs no surprise. Nor does his accusation that there are places in the tribal region where terrorists are being trained. Some senior members of Mr Bush's national security team meanwhile met at the White House to discuss the recommendations made by the deputies committee and are now weighing how to proceed. But there are indications that the proposed plan is not universally supported in Washington mainly because of Islamabad's opposition to coalition forces' incursions into its territory. Those opposing the move have a point in saying that violating Pakistani sovereignty will anger the people of Pakistan and can also affect use of the country as a base from which to resupply American forces in Afghanistan. The proposed plan, that can allow US forces to carry out hot pursuit of militants in the restive region more liberally, will further deepen resentment among tribesmen. They are already targeting those they suspect of being spies. In Bajaur Agency, three people were killed, two by beheading, on Saturday after being accused of spying for Americans. The argument that the current rules of engagement need to be altered because they are largely tilted in favour of Pakistani security forces, is devoid of any rationale. The fact remains that the coalition forces continue to intrude into our territory in violation of the intelligence-sharing principle devised by the Tripartite Commission comprising senior US, Pakistani and Afghan military officials. Instead of lending an ear to those pushing for a more aggressive stance, the Bush Administration should focus on removing flaws in its intelligence apparatus and letting the Pakistani forces deal with militants operating in the region.