In a perfect world, Nato would coordinate raids with Pakistan to avoid any such confusion.
KARACHI: The attack by Nato aircraft on security forces, checkposts in Pakistan’s Mohmand Agency over the weekend could have been the outcome of one of two things: gross negligence or self-defence. But it does seem a bit far-fetched to think that Nato would intentionally attack Pakistani checkposts. I say this especially since the last thing either Nato or America would want is to add fuel to the raging fire of anti-Americanism in Pakistan.
I suspect the following happened: 1) A joint Nato/Afghanistan National Army operation was underway against insurgents near the border; 2) Nato is asked for air support and sends it; 3) Pakistani troops fire on Nato aircraft believing that they are in Pakistani airspace; 4) The aircraft fire back.
In a perfect world, Nato would coordinate raids with Pakistan to avoid any such confusion. However, given past experience and the fact that a large part of the outside world seems to think that elements in the Pakistani establishment are helping the insurgents, such coordination may not be what Nato wants right now.
A reader
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2011.
