The visiting US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday ruled out the possibility of operation by American forces inside Pakistan.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates speaks during a press conference in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, May 7, 2009. Robert Gates arrived in Afghanistan on Wednesday for a three-day visit. [Zabi Tamanna/Xinhua]

"I do not anticipate at all that there will be an American troops going into Pakistan from Afghanistan to deal with this problem," he told a questionnaire at a press conference in Kabul after his opinion was sought with regard to growing militancy in Pakistan.

"The goal of the United States is to work with the Pakistani army, with the Pakistani government as they will deal with this problem and we are willing to do all we can to help them," he said.  

Gates praised the response of Pakistani army against Taliban insurgents. "I believe that the reaction of Pakistani army shows their recognition of the danger that exists in the western part of the country," he further said.

Meantime, the Pentagon chief allayed concerns about the possible fall of Pakistan's nuclear assets to the hand of Taliban militants. "I think there is very little chance of the Taliban in Pakistan achieving a level of success to get them access to Pakistan's nuclear weapons," Gates said.

More than 60 insurgents, according to media reports, have been killed over the past two days in the heavy fighting going on in Bunir and scenic Swat valley in the northwest of Pakistan.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2009)