Pakistan lodge "strong protest" over NATO attack

17 May 2011 02:29 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Pakistan's army lodged a "strong protest" over what it called an airspace violation after NATO helicopters exchanged fire with Pakistani troops at a military post early Tuesday.

The incident could further aggravate relations between the U.S. and Pakistan already strained over the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden more than two weeks ago.

Pakistani army officials said troops positioned at a guard post in the tribal area of North Waziristan fired on the NATO helicopters after the aircraft crossed the border from Afghanistan, and that two soldiers were injured by return fire.

The incident took place near an area thought to be a Taliban and al-Qaida sanctuary that has been targeted repeatedly by CIA drone strikes.

A Western military official in Kabul said two NATO helicopters supporting a base in eastern Afghanistan had returned fire and that details were being investigated.

"We're investigating the incident to determine a flight path by examining GPS waypoints in the helicopter computer, to construct a sequence of events and ultimately determine what led to the exchange of fire," said NATO coalition spokesman Lt. Col. John Dorrian.

He declined to say which coalition country was involved. But most of the helicopters that fly in that part of Afghanistan are American.

Pakistan has demanded a meeting with NATO officials to discuss the incident.

Last year, American helicopters killed two Pakistani soldiers near the border, mistaking them for insurgents. In response, the Pakistani government shut down NATO's main supply route for 11 days.

U.S.-Pakistan relations have since become so fraught that they have been pushed to the breaking point over the Navy SEAL strike that killed bin Laden in a Pakistani garrison town.

The Pakistani government is outraged that the U.S. carried out the operation without telling Pakistan first, and many American officials have expressed disbelief that bin Laden could have lived in the town of Abbottabad for at least five years without the authorities' knowledge. However, the U.S. has also said it has not found any evidence yet that Pakistani leaders knew of bin Laden's whereabouts.

The helicopter incident comes a day after U.S. Sen. John Kerry wrapped up a 24-hour visit to the capital, Islamabad, in which he worked to salvage the relationship with Pakistan. But the Massachusetts Democrat — the most high-profile American to visit Pakistan since the raid on bin Laden — also warned the government that "actions, not words" are needed to get ties back on track.

Kerry said Pakistan had agreed to immediately take several "specific steps" to improve ties, but he did not say what they were. The only tangible signs of progress were a remark by Kerry that Pakistan had agreed to give America the tail of a classified stealth helicopter destroyed by U.S. commandos when it malfunctioned during the raid, and a statement that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would soon announce a trip to the country.

But there have also been signs of Pakistan's anger.

The Pakistani government sent the United States a written request following the bin Laden raid, asking Washington to reduce the number of American military personnel in the country, a U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, told The Associated Press.

There are currently more than 200 U.S. military personnel in Pakistan, some of whom are tasked with training Pakistani troops, the official said. Pakistan has asked the U.S. to reduce the number of trainers in the country, but the official would not specify the numbers involved. (NPR)

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Comments - 13

Konde Bendapuchhena Tuesday, 17 May 2011 04:24 PM

NATO MEANS NOW DAYS NOTHING TO DO OTHER THAN VIOLATING BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS OFF POOR AND WEAK NATIONS,

Heamu Tuesday, 17 May 2011 04:30 PM

NATO = USA

ravi Tuesday, 17 May 2011 04:46 PM

so what same as Sri Lanka may 18th and 19th.

MagodisThuma Tuesday, 17 May 2011 04:53 PM

No
Action
Talking
Only

dohaboy Tuesday, 17 May 2011 04:59 PM

HOPELESS

mlj Tuesday, 17 May 2011 08:25 PM

No Action Talking Only? Are you living under a rock? Does Sri Lanka TV not show NATO forces bombing the living daylights out of Libya?

Guru Tuesday, 17 May 2011 10:14 PM

First of all, take care of your backyard.

Titanic Tuesday, 17 May 2011 11:13 PM

U.S.A. next visit is Pakistan after Japan,Korea,Saudi Arabia,IraQ,Afganistan

meranchi Wednesday, 18 May 2011 03:22 AM

country sovering violation that is no problem DONE BY NATO

lal Wednesday, 18 May 2011 04:07 AM

US will leave the region after removing Pakistans n-weapons and turning the couintry into a dust bowl. Bin Laaden was only a sideshow.

raj Wednesday, 18 May 2011 04:40 AM

Canada today expelled Libyan diplomants. Remember Sri Lanka condemned military action taken by Canadian commander. Did Canadian government pay attention about it?

Lanke Banda Wednesday, 18 May 2011 06:39 AM

High time the affected Countries by actions of UN,NATO & likes of U.S.form a Common Association and look after each other in the name of serving justice to its Citizens.

G-Abhaya Wednesday, 18 May 2011 07:25 AM

definitely must be a frustrated Diaspora member....sorry for u

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Pakistan lodge "strong protest" over NATO attack

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