UPDATE 1-Pakistanis "won't allow" attacks into Afghanistan

(Adds Boucher comments)

By Robert Birsel

ISLAMABAD, June 25 (Reuters) - Pakistan said on Wednesday it would not allow militants to attack Afghanistan from its territory and it would never let foreign troops operate on its soil.

The declaration came after threats from Afghan President Hamid Karzai to send troops into Pakistan to fight Taliban militants he says operate from border sanctuaries, and after 11 Pakistani border soldiers were killed in a U.S. air strike.

"Pakistan will not allow its territory to be used against other countries, especially Afghanistan and under no circumstances will foreign troops be allowed to operate inside Pakistan," the government said in a statement after a top-level security meeting.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani presided over the meeting which included federal and provincial government leaders and military and security agency chiefs.

"The meeting unanimously agreed that elimination of terrorism and extremism is the gravest challenge to Pakistan's national security and to fight this menace a multi-pronged strategy will be followed," the government said.

It was the strongest message on militancy yet from a three-month old government that critics say has been preoccupied with internal political wrangling and blind to looming security threats.

The main thrust of the policy would be the political engagement of the people through their elected representatives and tribal elders, together with economic development and "selective use of military force", the government said.