Singapore: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has openly challenged the proposed US military action in Pakistan's north-western region.

Musharraf claimed that any action in Pak by US will be considered as invasion. He also added that with full force Pakistan would oppose such actions on its soil.

He openly challenged the people trying to invade Pak Mountains. Musharraf said. "I challenge anybody to come into our mountains. They would regret that day. It's not easy there."

 He also remarked that the US or coalition troops would not be welcome unless invited for a particular reason, such as hunting Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

At present, Pakistan is struggling to put down violence in the tribal zone despite sending 90,000 troops there to hunt militants, which some experts believe include bin Laden.

Hundreds of Al-Qaeda and Taliban insurgents took shelter in the rugged north-western region after US-led forces overthrew the hardliner Taliban regime in Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Source : Agencies