Pakistan militant group vows to escalate fight in Afghanistan

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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/08/uk-pakistan-militants-afghanistan-idUKTRE7573A020110608

(Reuters) - One of Pakistan's most powerful militant groups plans to step up its fight against American troops in neighbouring Afghanistan in response to intensified U.S. drone missile strikes on its territory, two of its commanders said Wednesday.

The Central Intelligence Agency has been pounding an area of South Waziristan along the Afghan border controlled by Maulvi Nazir, one of Pakistan's most influential militant leaders.

Since Friday, at least 34 militants have been killed in four drone strikes, intelligence officials say, possibly launched because high value al Qaeda or Taliban figures were spotted.

An escalation by Nazir's men in Afghanistan could complicate the United State's efforts to pacify the country as it starts a gradual troop withdrawal in July.