US embassy denies NATO violated Pakistani airspace

The US Embassy says reports about Nato helicopters entering Pakistani territory on Tuesday were false.

ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday said that news reports about Nato choppers violating Pakistani airspace a day earlier, were false.

“News reports on both television and print media are claiming that Nato aircraft "violated" Pakistan's airspace in the areas of Burqi and Kharlaci on Tuesday, November 2. This accusation is entirely false. No Nato aircraft violated Pakistani airspace in the areas of Burqi and Kharlaci as alleged in the reports.” A press release issued on Wednesday said.

According to earlier media reports, three Nato helicopters flew 600 meters inside Pakistani territory on Tuesday and hovered there for 20 minutes causing panic within the residents of the region.

“This information was confirmed with Pakistan's Air Defense Command. Coalition and US air operations in Afghanistan conducted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region are closely coordinated with Pakistan's Air Force,” it said.

The press release added “we refer all questions concerning the integrity of Pakistani airspace to the Pakistan Air Force.”