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Pakistan-ISAF Attack Pakistan condemns attack in tribal region by Coalition/ISAF forces

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Sept 4, IRNA

Pakistan Wednesday strongly condemned assault by Coalition/ISAF troops at a village in its territory, which has resulted in immense loss of civilian life.

"This helicopter borne ground attack, supported by air assets based in Afghanistan, is gross violation of Pakistan's territory," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Locals said that 20 people, most women and children, were killed when gunship helicopters of the coalition forces shelled a village near Angoor Adda inside Pakistani territory.

"It is, indeed, most unfortunate that Coalition/ISAF in Afghanistan have resorted to cross-border use of force against civilians," the Foreign Ministry said.

"Such actions are counter-productive and certainly do not help our joint efforts to fight terrorism," it said.

"On the contrary, they undermine the very basis of cooperation and may fuel the fire of hatred and violence that we are trying to extinguish.

Moreover, any attack on Pakistani territory is unacceptable and constitutes a grave provocation," the Foreign Ministry said.

It said that a strong diplomatic protest is being made by the Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Governor of the Northwest Frontier Province, Owais Ahmed Ghani, also condemned in the strongest words the attack by three Afghanistan-based Coalition Gunship helicopters and commandos.

The governor said that in attack on a village in Birmal area of South Waziristan at least killed 20 innocent citizens of Pakistan including and mostly women and children.

"It is outrageous", he said in a statement, adding that as administrative head of tribal regions he is responsible for the safety and security of the citizens of the country in that area.

The Governor further stated that this is a direct assault on the sovereignty of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan expect that in the future the Armed Forces of Pakistan would rise to defend the sovereignty of the country and give a befitting reply to all such attacks.

The Governor expressed heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved families and assured that the gov't would try its best to protect its citizens from such cowardly attacks in the days to come.

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