Military

Pakistan formally lodges protest with NATO

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 1, IRNA -- Pakistan has formally lodged protest with NATO over airstrikes in its tribal region, which Thursday also killed three soldiers, officials said on Friday.

“Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani met the Deputy Secretary General of NATO in Brussels to lodge protest over the border violations by NATO/ ISAF helicopters,” Pakistani embassy in Brussels said.

Pakistan says that NATO helicopters carried out three air strikes in Kurrum agency tribal area this week, killing soldiers and civilians.

Authorities blocked oil tankers and trucks carrying supplies for US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan in an apparent reaction to the air raids.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday used his parliament speech to condemn the NATO strikes and said Pakistan will be forced to take counter measures.

Ambassador Jilani while handing over a demarche, condemned such incidents since it negates the spirit of cooperation that exists between Pakistan and NATO, said a statement received here.

“It was emphasized that such incidents will create serious misgivings besides undermining war against terror. He asked NATO to conduct an immediate and full enquiry of these serious incidents,” it said.

The NATO Deputy Secretary General offered regrets and termed the incidents as most unfortunate, the statement said.

He assured that NATO considers Pakistan as an important partner and will carry out a detailed assessment of the incident so as to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

The Foreign Office says that Pakistan’s Ambassador to Brussels had been instructed to lodge a strong protest at the NATO Headquarters over the missile strike at a security outpost in Kurram Agency by two helicopters from Afghanistan in which three soldiers were injured.