NATO attack: Rage in Pakistan, Khar tells Clinton

Foreign minister tells Clinton Pakistan wants US to vacate Shamsi airbase within 15 days.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar spoke to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton early Sunday morning to inform the US government of the decisions made by the Defence Coordination Committee regarding the Nato attack on a Pakistani checkpost.

Khar informed Clinton that a deep sense of rage was felt across Pakistan at the loss of 24 soldiers due to the Nato attack on the Pakistani post in Mohmand Agency. She also stressed that such attacks are “totally unacceptable”.

She informed Secretary Clinton about DCC decisions to stop Nato supply routes and that the US should vacate the Shamsi airbase within 15 days.

“The attacks are in stark violation of Pakistani sovereignty,” said the foreign minister, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

"This negates the progress made by the two countries on improving relations and forces Pakistan to revisit the terms of engagement," Khar said.

Secretary of State Clinton condoled with the foreign minister about the loss of life. She said that she was deeply saddened by the event. She conveyed the US government's desire to work with Pakistan to resolve this issue.

US promises full investigation

The Obama administration on Saturday pledged a full investigation into a Nato attack that allegedly killed 24 Pakistani troops.

Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta offered their "deepest condolences" for the loss of life in the cross-border incident in Pakistan in a joint statement. They also said they "support fully Nato's intention to investigate immediately."

According to the statement, Secretary Clinton, Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen John Allen, commander of the Nato-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, each called their Pakistani counterparts as well.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter also met with Pakistani government officials in Islamabad.

"In their contacts, these US diplomatic and military leaders each stressed -- in addition to their sympathies and a commitment to review the circumstances of the incident -- the importance of the US-Pakistani partnership, which serves the mutual interests of our people," the statement said.

"All these leaders pledged to remain in close contact with their Pakistani counterparts going forward as we work through this challenging time," the statement concluded.

Pakistan approaches Britain

The British Foreign Secertary William Hague was also informed of the DCC's decisions on Nato supply routes and the Shamsi airbase closure by Khar.

Expressing his sympathy, Hague termed the attack an "untoward incident" and extended solidarity with Pakistan.

An early Saturday morning attack by Nato helicopters killed at least 24 security personnel and injured 12 soldiers on a Pakistani check post in Salala, which is located in the Tehsil Bayzai area of Mohmand Agency on the Pak-Afghan border.

The United States has been told by the Pakistani military leadership to evacuate a logistically key airbase it operates in Balochistan – Shamsie Airbase – within 15 days. In addition, Pakistan’s fury was driven home with an official statement that it will shut down Nato supply routes operating through its territory – something that has happened for the first time, though supply routes have previously been temporarily blocked unofficially following similar attacks.

The decisions came following a meeting of the high-powered cabinet committee on defence – a panel that includes the prime minister, the service chiefs and key ministers.