Pakistan ties at risk over Haqqani: Levin

WASHINGTON: The United States should be prepared to cut ties with Pakistan if it does not do more to battle Haqqani network, a top senator said Friday.

"If the only option Pakistan presents us is a choice between losing an ally and continuing to lose our troops, then we will choose the former," said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, a Democrat.

Levin also warned that the United States reserved the right to strike at Haqqani fighters inside Pakistan if Islamabad will not do so itself.

"We have the right to target not only forces and artillery attacking our forces in Afghanistan from across the border in Pakistan, but to target the people controlling those forces as well," the senator said.

"We may not be able to persuade Pakistan that its activities are counterproductive for its own security and stability and for the security and stability of the region. But we must let them know clearly that this is a show-stopper to a normal relationship with the United States," said Levin.