News
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Poor coordination behind Pak soldiers’ killing: ISAFISLAMABAD: An incident in which NATO helicopters killed three Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan-Pakistan border could have been prevented with better coordination between the militaries, an initial investigation concluded on Wednesday. The investigation, by a team from US-led NATO forces and the Pakistani military, found that helicopters from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), repeatedly entered Pakistani airspace and at one point fired on a building in response to gunfire. The building turned out to be a border post, where three Pakistani Frontier Corps soldiers were killed. “We believe the Pakistani border guard was simply firing warning shots after hearing the nearby engagement and hearing the helicopters flying nearby,” US Air Force Brigadier General Tim Zadalis said. “This tragic event could have been avoided with better force coordination with the Pakistani military,” he said in a statement issued in Kabul. ISAF Commander General David Petraeus offered condolences to those killed and wounded and pledged to work with the Pakistani Army to ensure it does not happen again. The September 30 helicopter strike in the Kurram Agency was the most serious of recent cross-border incidents involving NATO-led forces. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk