WASHINGTON: The West is striving to limit the fallout from a deadly Nato air raid on Pakistani border troops, but reports that Pakistani soldiers opened fire first on US and Afghan forces risked stoking new tensions.
Pakistani military officials gave the “go-ahead” to US airstrikes that inadvertently led to the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers in Mohmand Agency on November 26, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
US officials giving a detailed account of the attack to WSJ said that an Afghan-led assault force that included American commandos was hunting down Taliban fighters when it was fired at from the Salala checkpost along the Pakistani side of the border.
According to US officials, the commandos first thought they were being fired at by Taliban militants, but later discovered that the fire reportedly came from Pakistani troops.
This led the commandoes to request an airstrike against the assailants, who then contacted a joint border-control center to verify if there were any Pakistani troops present at the checkpost.
The Pakistani representatives at the center reportedly said that there were no Pakistani troops in the area; the US officials told the WSJ that this cleared the way for the Americans to conduct the airstrikes.
The border-control center is manned by US, Afghan and Pakistani officials who share information and divert conflicts. On November 26, however, US and Afghan forces conducting the operation had not contacted the center in advance that they planned to strike Taliban insurgents near that part of the border, an official said.
Officials working in the border-control center need to know whether Nato forces are planning operations in the border area, in order to prevent conflict. This allows the Pakistanis to notify its forces that the US and Afghan forces would be operating there.
US officials have in the past expressed reservations about notifying the Pakistanis about operations, concerned the missions' details could leak out, the report stated.
One US official said that it is sometimes difficult to tell who is firing at the assault force, because the Taliban and Pakistani military use some of the same weaponry.
"There was absolutely no malicious, deliberate attack on the Pakistani military posts," a US defense official said.
Other American officials said the Pakistani military should have known from the presence of helicopters in the combined US-Afghan commando force that Americans were in the area.
"If you hear American helicopters why would you lob mortars and machine gun fire at them? The Pakistanis can say we thought it was insurgents, except for the fact that the Taliban doesn't have helicopters," said the US official.
The United States, which depends on Pakistan as a vital lifeline to supply 130,000 foreign troops fighting in landlocked Afghanistan, on Sunday scrambled to salvage the alliance, backing a full inquiry and expressing condolences.
Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen also sought to soothe Islamabad’s rage, but stopped short of issuing a full apology for the “tragic, unintended” killings.
In retaliation for the raid, Islamabad has blocked Nato convoys from crossing into Afghanistan, ordered a review of its alliance with the US and mulled whether to boycott a key conference on Afghanistan next month.
Hundreds of enraged Pakistanis took to the streets Sunday, burning an effigy of President Barack Obama and setting fire to US flags across the country of 167 million where opposition to the government’s US alliance is rampant.
Pakistan says the attack was unprovoked.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar telephoned US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to convey a “deep sense of rage” as a joint funeral was held for the dead soldiers, their coffins draped in the national flag.
But a report in Monday’s Wall Street Journal — denied by Islamabad — said the Nato jets and helicopters responded to firing from a Pakistani post on the ill-defined Afghan border.
The article, which followed a similar report by Britain’s Guardian newspaper, cited three Afghan officials and one Western official as saying the air raid was called in to shield allied forces targeting Taliban fighters.
Nato and Afghan forces “were fired on from a Pakistani army base”, the unnamed Western official told the Wall Street Journal. “It was a defensive action.”
An Afghan official in Kabul was quoted as saying: “There was firing coming from the position against Afghan army soldiers who requested support and this is what happened.”
The official added that the government in Kabul believes the fire came from the Pakistani military base — and not from insurgents in the area.
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If we haven't realized by now, WSJ NYtimes CNN etc are all propoganda machines of U.S. foreign policy. and that's not true for Pakistan. That's holds for every nation in the world. On domestic front they will engage in politics and criticism but on international front they will spin their version by citing official leaks or revealed documents. Second thing American media will never do is to criticize their military or forces in any way shape or form no matter how grave their violation. It would be blamed on others or, at best, an innoscent error or mistake.
Go back through history and you will find the above to be the case every time.
But you gotta love Pakistani media though. Majority of their stories on international issues emanate from US media. British media, though still bias, is more realistic in its approach. But it will usually not challenge the official version coming out of US.
@Mark Ecko: So lousy ..
I would like to point out a head line report in Dawn today that says "Defence Department press secretary George Little said the US asked Pakistan to be part of the investigation, but the Pakistanis have ''elected to date'' not to participate." I would like to submit that instead of guessing or believing all wild rumors why does Pakistan not officially joins the inquiry and probe the truth. The people of Pakistan will know what and why this happened. Why this policy of boycotts? Boycotting Bonn conference or the Inquiry will only confuse.
@Mark Ecko: In my view, attack on Pakistani post by the NATO forces should not be seen as an isolated incident caused by accident. In fact, it fits in the bigger picture – the ongoing tussle between the Pentagon and the US State Department about the strategy to be pursued in Afghanistan. Though President Obama was not inclined, yet was ‘persuaded’ by the military for induction of 30000 additional troops in Afghanistan. Even, despite this surge, no worthwhile victory is in sight. Frustrated by their failure, the Pentagon is now looking for new tangible targets not available in Afghanistan, neutralization of which may provide them with some semblance of victory. They, surely, would not like to go down in history as a force defeated by a handful of Taliban. Moreover, the escalation of tensions with Pakistan would also ensure continuation of deployment of US forces in Afghanistan. The US military would thus continue to receive approximately US$ 160 billion annually for maintaining forces in Afghanistan and there will be no cut in the defence budget. By implication, such a situation would also ensure Obama’s downfall, along with his team in the State Department, because of failure to ensure promised withdrawal of US forces, as well as, failure to deliver on domestic front owing to of resource crunch. We all know that, historically, the Republican Presidents suit the Pentagon, as well as, the enormous Defense Production Industry.
This explains everything perfectly. It explains why NATO attacked. More importantly it explains why no one came to the rescue of the outpost for full 6 hours.
Elementary my dear Watson!
@vasan: Going by the records of US media.....no body believes in their report. Cant you see the ridiculousness of the report?If go ahead was given by Pak Army...why a delay of 6 days in disclosing it...and where is the transcript of the message?US is the most unethical nation on earth...its not very long that we would also experience its bite.
@Mark Ecko: Because US troops hoped up on amphetamines and other drugs are frustrated at their inability to win this war. Their are many rogue elements in US forces who form kill teams and kill for sport. They think of themselves as cowboys who do not have to answer to anyone, so what if a few Afghans, Pakistanis are killed by them?
It is the attitude of American establishment that promotes such violent behavior, embodied in the popular American saying "Kill them all and let God sort them out".
@S!D: "Even if we agree for the sake of argument that pak first opened the fire then please tell us what were their casualties and losses as a result of those firings"
Pak army has a history of providing friendly cover fire to militants who are trying to infiltrate the neighbour. They have done this for a couple of decades in KAshmir but when India said this it was ignored. They have also been doing that on the Western border for a while but NATO does not have the same patience as India.
So the purpose of the fire from Pakistani side was NOT to kill soldiers patrolling other side but to distract them so that Afghan Taliban could cross the border without being challenged by NATO soldiers.
NATO ATTACKS Killed another 24 Pakistani soldiers and refusal of US Govt. to apologize and presenting reasons reveals whatever sacrifices we will offer it could never please America.
The so called war against terrorism has badly affected Pakistan. For the last 10 years whole Pakistani nation is suffering fear of terrorism in form of bomb blasts in different cities of Pakistan. About 5000 Pakistani troops 30000 Pakistani people have scarified their lives in a war which was not their. Pakistani economics have crashed as a result of this war.
These NATO ATTACKS on Pakistani check posts and death of 24 soldiers is a tragic event for us but at the same it is reminding us to reconsider our role in the US lead war. Now it is time to leave this war forever and sanctions on NATO supply must be permanent and Pakistani nation must not let Pakistani Govt. and Army to retreat in this regard.
ISI was operating behind Pakistani military's back supporting their "strategic assets". Pasha wants to take over the country since Kayani is a softie!
@A.Khan:
Check history. India never instigated a war.
Lets not forget "NATO" is a front for the US. It is the "US" which is behind all these lies and the mess they have created in Afghanistan. The US tricked the Russians to invade Afghanistan in 1979 after President Carter gave orders to covertly support the opposition against the puppet Russion regime (of course, Russia shares the blame on that). The entire mess is a result of the cold war three decades later.
This just doesn't make any sense. Pakistan is right, I totally support Pakistani point of view!!!
@Jeez:
Can you prove that you are a human being and not an alien life form that came to earth in an FTL space-ship in order to steal all our precious bananas and salt biscuits?
Geez! you need to grow-up.
P.S.: For god's sake please don't reply to my question
What a stunt it is? At why they have not reported to the center. Secondly why PAK army will fire on NATO troops? and PAK army is saying that they reportedly called the forces to tell during the air raid that this is PAK army position. Were they deff at that time? Now they are trying to find some fake reasons to justify their action. we must not forget that Afghans are no more our friends, they are pro Indian and they are acting on some agenda. Pakistan is NATO allay, If PAK army said there are no Pakistani troops in the area, it doesn't mean that PAK has no Post there. It was a well marked and positioned post. US and NATO new this.Maps and coordinates were exchanged according to PAK army officials. We are not fools and the whole NATION is standing with the ARMY....Long live PAK ARMY
I can smell 3rd world war. God forbid. USA and India would be major instigators.
@FasihA: Its not the version that is changing, it is what is reported in the media that's changing. Big difference!
yet another moronic excuse
@Hussain: Sir you said "every one knows that USA + israel + india are the main terrorist country in the world." Sir may we please know who is this every one?
There you go !!! I always thought there was more to this story than what the Pakistani media has been saying.
@Mark Ecko: What exactly is conspiracy in it? NATO has admitted that they attacked the posts ..Are you implying that NATO did not attacked those posts?. Regarding your second point about American involvement in the insurgency .. I guess we are not living in stone age .. every one know how these things are done ... You don't need to pay directly to carry out what you intend to .. I am not saying that America or any one else is involved in this anarchy we are facing these days but yes the driving force is there ... A sole super power spending a few trillion dollars ... going all the way thousand of miles to attack a country to just get a single enemy ... and then knowing his only escape route but yet sweeping from the opposite side so that enemy can use the single escape route? .. Its really hard to buy it. The only choice we have is to seal that border and shoot at any thing moving across the border without permission be it Haqqanis or any one else in the uniform ... and Also get rid of all sympathizers of those pawns who are being used directly or indirectly in this scenario. We need some one like Attaturk but I guess its asking for too much in this country.
Thunderous clouds has appeared on the eastern sky, dark days are expected.
@Concerned American - You're right Pakistan Army messed up, they should have fired those helicopters down and given your soldiers back to you in body bags... jeez seriously myopic aren't you?! WHat leverage does Pakistan need.. we have 35,000 dead due to this American war.. thats leverage enough!
Can anyone prove that OBL was in Abbottabad..the world hasn't even seen any footage or pictures as evidence! We are going by America's 'word' on this... and we all know the value of their 'word'... = ALL LIES!
The Afghan forces should stop the insurgents from escaping Afghanistan & entering Pakistan. They are sending all their mess over here because they cannot handle it themselves and then they call Pakistan safe haven!! Why does Pakistan Army have to put up with this?? they should control their citizens and only Afghanistan should get blamed for all that their citizens do when in Pakistan. We already got enough refugees & even more problems of our own. The Afghan forces need to take control & if they cannot do so... at least stop blaming Pakistan.
We are dealing with an enemy which doesnt play by the rules or has any sense of morality. Here is an example of their dark art.
Pakistani troops fired at them NATO was lured by Taliban to attack Pakistani posts Pakistani Army gave ok to kill their own soldiersI can give a try as how next headline could look like.
"Kiyani plotted US/NATO to attack these Posts to divert US pressure about Haqqanis"
Oh yeah such reports were common regarding Iraqi WMDs as well.
Pak Army has already said that NATO always knew about the Pakistani check post. Had it been not the case, we would have never reacted strongly. This is first time I am seeing Pakistani authorities talking hard against US and NATO.
It was a most tragic and regrettable mistake with dire consequences for the ISAF. It will take a while for the fury to die down. While Pakistan can wait for the wounds to heal, the U.S. and its allies don't have much time, due to the countdown of 2014.
Pak army must replace fake chinese equipment's with genuine once. May be it is good they did not work, or Pakistan must have lost few more plane and sacrificed its pilots for nothing
My assumption is that soldiers posted in the specific post where transferred from the indian border (LoC). There they easily get away with firing across the border helping militants to infiltrate. They must have tried the same here but forgot that the other side is not manned by Indians but by trigger happy cowboys.
My condolences to the bereaved families
every one knows that USA + israel + india are the main terrorist country in the world.
USA is just dumping their defeat on Paksitan arm, they are simply defeated by bunch of Taliban who are fighting in jihad.
Their main purpose was to destroy Pakistan nuclear but their own teeth got broken.
What a pathetic bunch of coward US+NATO+ISAF soldiers are who kill civilians and they are killed Taliban.
Death to USA, death to israel
Hello Indians writing in, why do you spend so much energy on anti-Pakistan statements? Are we the instigator or you who are ever ready with your keyboards to carry out anti-Pak strikes and bombardments? Get a life and do something productive to make our region and the world a better place for all humanity.
Hmmm. It looks like the Pakistani Army messed up and is looking for leverage. Most likely the facts will eventually come out in the investigation.
the game changer is in place now, this new story has made the situation a bit different. why were the public not told the truth from the begining? Somebody up there is hiding the facts from the public. If as this article says "Pakistan gave the go ahead and bomb OK to NATO "then crying about they bombed us is trying to gain sympathy for your mistakes. But on the other hand these guys know how to spin a story. Both Pakistan Army and NATO must have thought out a plan to make this look like well mistakes were made on both sides now lets forget the past and start fresh. I feel both NATO and Pakistan are not telling us the real facts and we shall never know. I just feel sorry for the guys who died for no reason. By the way how come our President and PM did not visit the injured soldiers in Hospital to show solidarity. They did not go Bonn for the conference thats fine but they should have at the least visited the Jawans. .
US MASTERS in making stories to defend their constant mistakes since decade. You beg us for our hand and ultimately become snake of sleeve.
They want to put us in doubt.. they want to put the world in doubt.. just for face-saving.. don't believe these Americans.. all they've ever done is lied to us, used us and killed us! Its taken 10 years and their cunning tactics to kill our troops & people...for us to realize..but now we realize so game over!
I agree with Ayesha Zee Khan, we should have sent some body bags!! It is time that we declared war on NATO(read USA) and prove to the entire world that we are not wearing bangles. So what if the US has 11 battle carrier groups, every one of our citizens are missiles and mujahids, plus we are armed with the sword of Zulfiqar. The US is forgetting that and unleasing the fury in a muslim.
Pakistani troops in Abbotabad claim that they didn't know OBL was living steps from them. Why is it any surprise that the Pakistan Army didn't know that they had troops in that area -- previous accounts from the army have said that the posts were recently established.
Lies have so many version: The Anglo Saxon history of lies and deceit continues - Shelling from Pakistan side - Pakistan side fired first - Taliban made NATO do it - Pakistan Army gave go ahead - Insert new lie here
kindly look into what went wrong at Mehran base back in may, GHQ last year when they were attacked last year in daylight before taking this adventure, The world knows how capable we are
From the look of it there will be two losers and one winner the Taliban, in this conflict.
America can go to any length to defend itself!making up false news or something else ... everyone knows that WSJ is a mouth piece for republican party!
Indian Army has been telling the same thing from last 20 years that it is pakistan that fire first and provoke and send millitants.Later pak Army denies and says it is indian army that fired first.
But here the opponenet is US Army, which will not forgive and thats result.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: "Why should Pakistani troops first open the fire on NATO forces when NATO forces are considered as allied forces in combating against Al-Qaeda and Taliban." Dear Sir, the answer is running with the hares and hunting with the hounds. We see this every day when covering fire is provided to shelter back the terrorists, in safe heavens, being chased. But alas this time it was not your neighbor but American commandos on the stake.
@ Mark Eck, Because they wanted to take a revange from PAKISTAN ARMY ( ISI) , for the attack on there embassy in KABUL and for the attack on there helicopter , where marines were killed ,who were involved in OBL killing. Those attacks was done by Taliban and U.S and Nato are blaming on Pakistan Army (ISI). They wanted to level the scores of the dead bodies.
So fascinated!! All Pakistan nations are standing against Uncle Sam.
@ Mark Ecko i only believe in facts and facts are before NATO came in afghanistan it was all peace and calm here!!!
Truth is bitter anyways........
Thank you Nato and the US for bringing this nation under one umbrella. We support our armed forces NOW more than ever, the Pakistani nation stands on one stance::: WE SUPPORT OUR ARMED FORCES FOR THEY ARE OUR HEROES. My question to the article: How come we never fired back on the approaching Copters and airforce plane. It was very easy for us to send back some body bags!
How embarassing it would be, if this would prove to be true. sigh...
A Childish Statement. I wonder why Americans took so long to give this statement.
Can any Pakistani please explain the theory or reasoning why would NATO attack Pakistani post ? If according to few Pakistanis here who blame USA for insurgency in Pakistan, they could have used the same insurgents to attack the post. They need not use to use their chopper to do it. why would NATO attack pakistani post ? Has anybody raised that quation ? Or Pakistanis are just too happy in conspiracy theory their media and super paranoid citizens produce every moment of their life ? You guys thrive on conspiracy theory don't you ???
I fully agree with T khan , this is such a lousy explanation probably for the consumption of US public. Just by the look of this writing one can tell it smaks of falsehood and pack of lies. I mean they couldnt appreciate that a proper built up area , manned with regular troops cant be in any way talibans base. I mean u cant even laugh at it. i m sure many american can also read through it if they are really not mentally challenged.
WSJ article says "Pakistani officials at a border coordination center gave the go-ahead to American airstrikes that inadvertently killed 24 Pakistan troops, UNAWARE that their own forces were in the area." Are you nay sayers sure that Pakistani soldiers at the border-control center always have current intel on position of Pakistani troops and never make mistakes? Good chance that radio transmissions were recorded and truth will come out.
@Pakistani: "Pakistan gave a “go ahead” to attack its border post through attack helicopters?? is it me or the world has stopped making sense??"
Well did Pakistan not lease out Shamsi base which was used for flying drones? Did Wikileaks not reveal how callously Pak leaders gave permission to use drones? Why are you so surprised?
I think the fog of war is lifting
This is funny & Absurd at the same time. Pakistani officials dint know that they had their men on the post ? Come one USA , atleast make a sensible story!
CIA propaganda to hide the truth
Pakistan didnt have knowledge their soldiers are there in camp-site...crap
At the end of this inquiry, Americans would have done everything right and Pakistanis would have done everything wrong. Americans are God-set after all.
Nothing can change the Already OCCURRED defeat of NATO and USA in Afghanistan. Let's Not forget this Point . And this is the Only Point that matters. Losing side does these kinds of adventures but nothing to worry about, it has already been defeated in AFghanistan. If not , then NATO must establish its writ on entire Afghanistan and let the Media Judge it. How about that?LOL
You liar US' and NATO's officials how many times you shall see the fallacious face of your crimes to the world to kill the innocent Pakistani soldiers and officers to camouflage your the most ever worst defeat in Afghanistan by the handful Taliban/Alqaeda/Haqqani network?Now enough is enough.
Can the WSJ give an answer to one question that when Islamabad informed NATO about their attack on our post, first it was aborted and when we reinforcements were despatched, why they attacked again? West even does not have a decent lie, to cover up this dastardly attack on their non-NATO ally.
Lies Lies...and yet they can not live without each other
Pakistan gave a "go ahead" to attack its border post through attack helicopters?? is it me or the world has stopped making sense??
A pack of lies. The weapons the checkpost had cannot be used to fire at helicopters. Afghan version cannot be trusted either, they have a vested interest in attacking Pakistan. All this smells very bad.
Dear ET, after the ban on BBC World and "voluntary" off airing of Express 24/7, we dont want to loose you ! So please be careful while reporting these kind of stories. Thanks !
There is a twist every hour. It is high time the Pak army finds out the real truth and publishes them. They should take US/NATO to some war crime tribunal if they are at fault.
their version keeps on changing doesn't it.
Why should Pakistani troops first open the fire on NATO forces when NATO forces are considered as allied forces in combating against Al-Qaeda and Taliban.
The claim of Wall Street Journal is not more than a lie as US President Barack Hussien Obama does not want to tender a formal apology to the Government of Pakistan.
Pakistanis have been tolerating the nonsense for a long time. We want tell to the people in the West that Pakistani troops or civilians are not wearing the bangles.
Now General Kiyani has given a go ahead to our troops to retaliate, it would be better for international observers to sit on the border line and see who is provoking and opening the fire first.
You think that we are so dumb to ask you to fire on ourselves.can't we see/hear a helicopter roving the mountain top.I thought that WSJ was a credible paper.
good move...Pakistan Army is backed by the people of Pakistan..make no mistake..
There is yet another twist to this sad incident. It would result in a great embarassment to Pakistan incase NATO can produce proof of audio/vedio/fax recording in support of their claim.
??? Please explain???
What does it mean when they say the fire came from a Pakistani base and they brought planes and killed everyone???
ON one hand there is no Pak soldiers supposedly present on the check posts and then the fire comes from them as well???
Thridly, Kabul believes it was the Pakistani soldiers and not the insurgents so the army is right in saying that the killing of soldiers was deliberate.
You have crossed the border, the army is firing at you so what is the logical result??? You turn back and go home not get your planes to come and kill someone in their country.
All this mess had nothing to do with right or wrong. Its basically the might that is talking who cares who is right!!