Military

Pakistan President disapproves NATO's border violation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 1, IRNA -- President Asif Ali Zardari, in a veiled reference to NATO airstrikes into Pakistani tribal region, told the visiting CIA chief on Thursday that Pakistan strongly disapproves any incident of violation of its sovereignty, the President office said.

Pakistan army confirmed that two NATO helicopters attacked a Pakistani border post on Thursday and killed three soldiers.

An army statement said that two NATO helicopters from Afghanistan crossed the border into Pakistan in Upper Kurram Agency and shelled a check post despite warning shots.

“Any violation of internationally agreed principles is counter productive and unacceptable,” President Zardari remarked in meeting Director CIA Leon Panetta, a statement said.

“Matters relating to cooperation in the fight against militants and security situation in the region among other related issues were discussed in the meeting,” it said.

The President, during the meeting, said that the fight against militancy and terrorism remains the highest priority and the Government was determined to pursue its struggle against militancy till its logical end.

He said that there was a need to enhance trust, cooperation and coordination at the strategic, policy and operational planes. “Capacity enhancement of the Pakistan security apparatus was very crucial,” the President observed.

The President said that sentence of Pakistani neurologist Aafia by a US court on terrorism charges, was being perceived as harsh and disproportionate and has led to protests in Pakistan.

Leon Panetta thanked the President for meeting and reiterated his government’s commitment to help people of Pakistan in all possible manners, the statement said.