"Two helicopters intruded several kilometres inside Pakistan territory in Datta Khel town around 2:00 am (2100 GMT Tuesday)," a military official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The helicopters flew in from the eastern Afghan province Paktia and circled the bordering village of Zoi Nara for more than five minutes, the official in the provincial capital Peshawar said.
Another military official said the choppers left after "warning shots" were fired by Pakistan troops. Officials said they were not attack helicopters.
Dildar Khan, a tribal police official in Datta Khel, said the helicopters flew at a relatively low altitude and returned after the warning shots.
Militants are dug in on both sides of the border and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week called on Pakistan to do more to squeeze militant havens on its territory, particularly those of the Haqqani network.
Nato said Monday that 200 Taliban-linked militants were killed or captured in military operations along the border designed to hit the insurgency hard ahead of the winter, when rebels retreat to hideouts.
Nato commanders have reported a huge increase in rocket attacks from Pakistani territory over the summer. Pakistani officials have also complained about an increase in cross-border attacks from Afghanistan.
Earlier, an Indian Army helicopter that ‘strayed’ into Pakistan territory was returned with four army officials aboard after the courtesy of refueling by the Pakistan Army.
(Read: Pakistan sends back Indian helicopter after refueling)
The chopper was carrying three officers and one enlisted man. It was forced to land in Ahmedabad, a small town in Gilgit-Baltistan, at around 1 pm. An army official, who wished to remain anonymous, said the helicopter, along with the four Indian military officials, was allowed to return after “intervention at the highest level.”
US rejects reports of airspace violation
Talking to Express 24/7, Mark Stroh US Embassy spokesperson said that ISAF and colleagues in Pakistan who coordinate with them have no record about the incursion into Pakistani airspace, hoping that it was just a matter of miscommunication.
Responding to a question on whether any action will be taken against officials if these reports are proven correct, he said that he cannot comment on it and that the military will take necessary action, if there was an incursion.
COMMENTS (54)
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@US CENTCOM: Major The controlled media in Pakistan did not publish my earlier note on your clarification.
I will say again in much simpler way i.e. glad you have put this story to rest.
We would like to inform all readers that the accusation of NATO helicopters violating Pakistani airspace is completely false. There has not been an intrusion or violation of the Pakistani airspace by any NATO helicopters. The various media outlets had based their report on anonymous sources. We strictly monitor our combat troops’ actions and coordinate our activities in Afghanistan near the Af/Pak border. Hence, we would have the most accurate information to share with you. It is unfortunate that even though most of the news sources have reported the ISAF spokesperson’s rejection of this allegation and this fabricated story, still most forum members are accepting these accusations as the truth. This has caused unnecessary hysteria among Pakistani readers on several forums and blogs. False allegations only stir negative sentiments and animosity among people. They are not beneficial for either of our nations, especially when we are working diligently with our Pakistani counterparts to resolve all outstanding concerns.
MAJ David Nevers, DET – U.S Central Command www.centcom.mil
A lot of grandstanding but Pakistan not dare attack NATO.
Lets get real. Everyday Drones are hitting Pakistan and "violating" airspace. This is happening with the Military's blessings or cowardice. Whats so special about this chopper violating it? The only difference is this had people in them, drones are remote-controlled and pilot-less.
@Birbal: Read the srcript of the news. Dont watch pictures only!
"Another military official said the choppers left after “warning shots” were fired by Pakistan troops. Officials said they were not attack helicopters."
It seems people are being selective with what news they relay lately. These two stories are fun.
http://www.dawn.com/2011/10/26/taliban-commanders-say-pakistan-intelligence-helps-them.html http://www.dawn.com/2011/10/26/afghan-taliban-says-will-target-national-assembly.html
I chose to put that under this article because it's the closest related thing that hasn't faded or is fading from the recent stories. At the very least, it doesn't come off to me as off topic. Matter of opinion I suppose.
@rehmat:
It is a definitely a "Rehmat" for Pakistan.
Perth, Australia
5 Steps to take if the Govt is serious about violation of air space Steps 1 Fire warning shots, 2 Protest to NATO, 3 complaint to UN, 4 Force it to land and if they persist Shoot it down
@Darius: Yes, coz when the intruders were warned to land they tried make an escape and hence paid the price for not obliging. I guess that good enough justification.
Would it be that they wanted to be shot it;so they will have an excuse to attack Pakistan.
Was it a helicopter or dangue mosquito? pls verify
NATO helicopters violate Pakistan airspace is so easy now. Its become joke now.strong text
@Darius: "What are the internationally accepted guidelines for such military intrusions? Is the intruded country justified to ‘shoot down’ the invading aircraft/s after the border/s is/are violated?" Yes. For that reason, even drones can be shot down. Question is despite all the statemnts to the contrary - neither the army NOR the government want to defy US so openly and deal with consequences.
@dude: "I think Pakistan is also a member of Nato, Isn’t it, is it really a violation?"
Nato members are not authorized t violte each others air space. In any case, Pakistan is not a NAT oember - it is a 'major non-NATO ally for the War on Terror'.
@Pragmatist: yeah well why dont the mighty NATO forces stop them while they are attacking and retreating? why blame it on Pakistan? dude our military capability is nothing compare to NATO! so why the hell should we the smaller army go chase these guys when the big bad boys cant do it in their yard! if its hard for nato to let these guys escape into pakistan and not finish em in afghan, than you can imagine its next to impossible for pakistan to go and finish them off! given that we have limited resources technologically speaking and everything else too!
@dude: pakistan is not part of nato fyi!
It's an evil scheme ISI has come up with to frame NATO. The details aren't important. Yep.
Where are the shaheens & the tactical nukes?
The violation is clearly indicating, a planning of attack. I think they have contemplated scrupulously that if they attack NW there will be no reaction from Pakistan. just after some days protests, "go Amrika go" by a religious party and then , every thing will be back to normal.We still have failed to intercept their continuous drone attack and it is very much possible that they have started fabricating a pre - attack atmosphere.
@Darius: Atlantique did not comply with the accepted procedure of landing and instead tried to escape. If you checked the facts, the Indian helicopter crew complied with the accepted procedures.
If this incursion did happen so what, Pakistan has been warned already that US will move unilateral if the Pak does not put a stop to the goons who are killing our troops.
Besides that what can Pakistan do to stop them? Remember Abbotabad!!
We should have made them to force land.
let investigate these two helicopters as Indian helicopter was investigated. But American followers would not do so. Shame.....
"US embassy denies any incursion into Pakistani airspace." The same embassy that said Raymond Davis was an innocent diplomat?
@Adil: You are spot on that this intrusion was a conspiracy by RAW, CIA and MOSSAD but Pakistan missed a golden opportunity to unearth the plot since it didnot make an effort to force-land these helicopters. Pakistan has not learnt any lessons after the Abbotabad incident.
So they ran back after Pakistani counter attack... We can't stop them from violating airspace but we can surely make them run away...Welldone Pakistan!!
they should be shot down the next time. one or two chances are more then enough.
Its a RAW CIA MOSSAD conspiracy to humiliate Pakistan. Ya Allah Khair
Block their supply line, they will beg you in a week's time. Or they will starve all 150,000 of them!
NATO violated the airspace because the terrorists are violating Pakistan's land space. They carry out raids into Afghanistan and come running back into Pakistan knowing fully well that they're safe there. Entering the airspace in hot pursuit of terrorists is ok. If Pakistan wants to put a stop to this they must hunt down the terrorists themselves - something that every nation's security establishment does.
I guess, NATO thought they will also get free Fuel, like we got it. since NATO fuel tankers are often torched..
I suppose that's the difference between an unarmed Indian helicopter and a NATO attack helicopter. It's also worth noting that NATO gave you plenty of warnings in advance of this action - guess you didn't take the hint.
We dont beg India for aid, loans and military hardware; beggars cant be choosers
Where is PAF when we need it...
If there Taliban and Haqqani strongholds then what's the problem - you either don't control the territory or are in cahoots with an enemy of NATO.
our radars r shy of americans... they more indian oriented ;) sovereignty is a joke.
"They were not attack helicopter..."
Well, that pretty much gives you an excuse for not shooting them down.
@ET:
It should not be the news anymore. We've got drones coming into our country several times a day- Oh wait, may be they are not helicopters, they are JUST drones. Does not really violate the air space because after all the pilot still remains on other side of the border.
At least Pakistanis were awake at 2 am this time.
@Dude: No Pakistan isn't. Pakistan is Non- Nato Ally
Forget having Airspace being violated !!! When the the Nation's Sovereignty is being violated daily by those in power for their own personal agenda!!!!
Saad,
Why do you ask? It's obvious. Theyve killed our soldiers before this. Can India do that and get away with it?
Roflcopter.. Look closely at the pictures & you will get your answer .. The indian chopper was a harmless chetak used to fly personel.. This one looks mean with lots of fire-power.. Just try to force it down ;-)
What are the internationally accepted guidelines for such military intrusions? Is the intruded country justified to 'shoot down' the invading aircraft/s after the border/s is/are violated? What use are 'warning shots' if the intruder is armed and has nefarious intentions and causes loss of lives? It brings to mind the downing of Pakistan Navy's Atlantique, Patrol Plane in 1999 by the Indian AirForce for 'violating airspace' in the Raan of Kutch area causing the deaths of 16 people on board. Was India's reaction justified?
Indian helicopter and nato helicopters are altogether different flying objects. The former can me tamed and later will break our legs if we try to tame them. We can only shout loud and loud and nothing else.
when indians voilates airspace, we managed to forced them land...y is it not happening in case of NATO??
And I thought these intrusions were so common that Pakistan learnt to accept it as a fact of life and doesn't notice anymore.
and WHY couldn't we force THEM to land for violating out airspace, may I ask?
Why didn't they force it to land like they did with the indian chopper?
shot the bird down once & see if they ever violate your airspace... c'mon they do it every other day just to check your guts and its hightime you show them some!!!
I think Pakistan is also a member of Nato, Isn't it, is it really a violation?
They should have stayed. We were planning on refuelling them and sending them back.