ISLAMABAD, June 4: Pakistan on Monday strongly condemned a jump in US drone strikes on its territory, using language that could increase tension between strategic allies already in dispute over military supply routes for Nato that Pakistan has closed.

Three drone strikes in as many days on suspected militants have killed 27 people, Pakistani intelligence officials say.  The foreign ministry called the attacks “illegal” and said they violated the South Asian country’s sovereignty.

Washington and Islamabad are deadlocked in negotiations over the reopening of overland supply routes to Nato forces in Afghanistan.

Islamabad blocked the supply routes in November after 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed by cross-border “friendly fire” from Nato aircraft.

The Pakistan government says the CIA drone campaign fuels anti-American sentiment in the country, and is counterproductive because of the collateral damage (civilian deaths) it causes.

US officials say such strikes by the remotely piloted aircraft are a highly effective way of attacking militants and are an important weapon in the war against militancy. —Reuters