Military

Pakistan protests airspace violation by US chopper

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 22, IRNA -- Pakistan has lodged protest on air space 
violation by an American chopper across border with Afghanistan in 
Waziristan tribal region, local media reported Monday. 
The chopper carried out firing on Saturday last evening in 
Pakistan`s territory and returned when it was informed of being in 
Pakistan`s space. 
According to official sources, no loss of human or property has 
been reported due to the firing. 
Military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told Jang 
newspaper that the violation was by a chopper, and not a jet aircraft.
He confirmed that the protest has been lodged on account of this 
violation. 
He said the helicopter mistakenly crossed into Pakistani air 
space. 
"It was technical violation and the pilot returned to Afghanistan 
when informed about the violation," Sultan said. 
The coalition helicopters entered upto four kilometers in Spin 
Kanrey and Alawar Mandey area of North Waziristan tribal agency, 
bordering Afghanistan, Mehmood Shah, security chief of the federally 
administered tribal areas said. 
Reports from Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, 
said that three tribesmen have been seriously wounded when US-led 
coalition gunship helicopters targeted a pick-up carrying local 
shopkeepers with machine-gun fire in Lawara Mandi locality of North 
Waziristan. 
The coalition forces are engaged in operation against Taliban and 
al-Qaeda men in Afghanistan eastern Paktika province. 
The three wounded persons belong to Madakhel tribe. They have been
shifted to Miranshah hospital. 
According to reports from the area, the coalition helicopters 
raided the area late Friday night from 11:30 pm to 12:00 midnight and 
dropped around 15 bombs. 
Some bombs hit a local Ilyas Public School. 
TK/TSH/216 
End