A prominent U.S. newspaper says Washington wants to expand a secret Central Intelligence Agency operation in Pakistan designed to eliminate Islamic militants' havens near the Afghan border.
The Wall Street Journal reported late Friday the U.S. has asked Pakistan in recent weeks to allow more CIA officers and special operations military trainers into the country to participate in Washington's efforts step up pressure on militants.
The report says Islamabad has refused the requests for additional personnel because it remains "extremely wary" of a larger U.S. ground presence in Pakistan.
The newspaper reports the number of CIA personnel in Pakistan is "highly classified," but says it "has grown substantially" in recent years.
The Wall Street Journal says Washington wants Islamabad to take "more aggressive action" against groups allied with al-Qaida.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
