WASHINGTON- US Joint Staff Director Lt Gen Kenneth McKenzie says Washingtonhas assured Islamabad that the United States is not planning to conduct anymilitary operations inside Pakistan.

In news briefing at Pentagon, he said that that American strategy isinherently regional and Pakistan is geographically located at a criticalnexus while Islamabad is a fundamental part of the strategy.

He said we look to gain Pakistani cooperation and assistance as we pursueoperations in Afghanistan but we are not planning to conduct militaryoperations inside Pakistan.

On the other hand, Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana W. White said thestrategy has created an opportunity for Pakistan to cooperate with theUnited States in defeating the terrorists operating in the region.