WASHINGTON: The US military is not planning to discipline any of its forces over a cross-border skirmish last year that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead and plunged Washington-Islamabad ties to their lowest point in years, a US military official said on Saturday.
A US military investigation last year had already exonerated American troops operating in Afghanistan from inappropriate use of force against the Pakistani forces – even as the US military acknowledged some of the blame in the incident.
That investigation concluded that American troops, given what information they had available to them at the time, acted in self-defense and with appropriate force after being fired on by the Pakistanis just across the border.
The US military official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not offer further details about the subsequent decision not to discipline US forces.
Pakistan shut off ground supply lines to the US-led Nato mission in Afghanistan on November 26 over the incident.
The United States expressed regret for the loss of life, but the US military investigation blamed Pakistani soldiers for firing first at Natoforces as they prepared for a mission in the remote corner of eastern Afghanistan.
The US investigation also conceded a critical error by US troops, who, due to a mapping error, told Pakistan the cross-border shooting was taking place about 9 miles from the actual location. Pakistan responded by saying it had no troops there, which led Americans to conclude there was no danger to Pakistani military personnel.
Pakistan's military roundly rejected the US findings, saying that apportioning any blame on Pakistani forces was “unjustified and unacceptable”.
Pakistan admitted its posts engaged in “speculative fire”, including the use of mortar bombs, which the US forces interpreted as hostile fire. But it denied that it fired in the direction of Afghan and Nato forces and was instead firing at suspected militant movement.
COMMENTS (15)
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@Basit:
Your comments contain no truth but truth has never been something PAK is known for. If any punishment should be given it should be for the amount of munions expended and the small body count.
You should bring this matter to the UN - I suspect they will inform you that "speculative fire" is a term only used by Pakistan - the rest of the World uses the term "fired first".
@Cautious: No it's not a reasonable interpretation on behalf of US forces as they were inside Pakistani territory and had not informed Pakistani forces of their location or operation and in fact gave wrong coordinates. Speculative fire is a common military tactic and Pakistan has every right to do this within it's own territory.
The knew exactly who they were attacking for hours even after being told to stop by GHQ. This action was deliberate as liberals keep reminding us that the US has superior intelligence and only kills militants when conducting drone strikes. You can't have it both ways.
USA we hate u more now
Seems like a reasonable interpretation to me. Anyone who has been on a night time patrol in a war zone is inclined to respond when they hear mortar and AK fire. Further -- Pakistan has a record of unprovoked attacks on NATO troops near the border. It takes a lot of gall to start shooting at an unidentified target - label it "speculative fire" - then complain when others respond to that fire. Your just unhappy that American "speculative fire" happens to be superior to yours..
Things that happen in war zones have their own set of rules. Also, soldiers are trained to fire on people firing on them. If they don't, they die, and nobody is going to recommend hesitation because the side shooting at them might have a problem with it. I know there are people who will say they weren't fired on, so, in advance, just get a mental picture of someone rolling their eyes to save time. I'd believe people who are actually investigating it and releasing the findings to the public, even the negative parts, over the people who's very job appears to deny any incident ever happening if it's not flattering with a poorly thought out accusation/deflection and a refusal to look into it. Here's a tip in war: don't shoot at NATO when you can't even take care of ragtag militants. Your pride and ability to tell yourselves you're formidable will be severely damaged.
After 9/11 Musharraf HAD TO side with the US due to international pressure. Now, if thd parliament and PPP sides with the US what difference is there left????
Sell this country!!!!!!!!!!!! COUNTRY FOR SALE !!!!
We can not really expect US to punish its soldiers for attacking the Taliban's sympathizers! We support the Afghan Taliban as much as we abhor teh Pakistani Taliban. If Pakistan was in the posistion of US, we would have done the same! This is the realistic perspective of the international relations.
When you have beggars for leaders (supposedely chosen by you) then you must swallow insults like this.
Adding Salt to Wounds
Let's see how baygerat we are now... The parliament will approve the NATO supply line to be reopened... And it will be business as usual. This is the 'respect' we get! Well done Musharaf, Zardari & Nawaz Sharif, this is the state to which you have led our country to... Greed for money has led us to this state of affairs, where no one in this world will ever respect us again. Ironic isn't it, that March 23rd just went by a few days ago... The day the foundations of this country were laid down, the day a new becon of hope was lit by our great leaders... How ashamed they must be feeling right now in the heavens, that were all their sacrifices, their selfless devotion to this one cause worth it? Pathetic! Ashamed I am right now to be called a Pakistani!
If US is not planning to take serious action against their soldiers who killed 24 of ours, then why are we reopening the land route? Duh.
Vienna,March 25,2012 Here again,Pakistan refused to participate in joint investiation. That explains the conflict and shooting from both sides on the basis of one sided intelligence information.Apology or punishment are a shared meal, call it feeding sweets into each other´s mouth!One sided punishments were the beginning of the problem. It looks to set to continue. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --kulamarva Balakrishna
Now at least our corrupt,beggars and slaves leaders must be waken up from the dreams of carelessness after reading this US' officials' statement that US' leaders are not doing any prosecution against the involved troops in Salala check post.If not now then when we shall see the realities and truths about the US' friendships with Pakistan and the real face of US' leaders?