NATO apology not good enough: Pakistan army
Published: November 28, 2011
ISLAMABAD: While foreign newspapers reported that the Nato attack on Pakistani troops in Mohmand Agency was provoked by firing from the Pakistani side, the Pakistani military denied the allegations and was critical of Natos apology.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Abbas said on Monday that Nato and Isaf are trying to wriggle out of the situation by claiming that the Pakistani troops fired at them first. Referring to the apology issued by Nato Chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Sunday, he told Express 24/7:
This (apology) is not good enough. We strongly condemn the attacks and reserve the right to take action.
Abbas said that the attack on Pakistani troops was indiscriminate, highly callous and irresponsible.
He reiterated that the Pakistani side did not fire towards the Afghan border, and said media reports that suggested otherwise are untrue.
There is no reason for the fire to be initiated from our area, he said, adding that Mohmand Agency has been cleared of militancy and that the army has regained control of the area.
We have cleared the area and lost 70 officers in the operation already. Now we have to face the brunt of Nato from the other side?
He stressed that the issue needs to be investigated, and the cause and use of weapons will be thoroughly explored.
In an interview on Sunday with British newspaper the Guardian, Abbas said he did not believe Isaf or Afghan forces received fire from the Pakistani side.
I cannot rule out the possibility that this was a deliberate attack by Isaf, said Abbas. If Isaf was receiving fire, then they must tell us what their losses were.
Pakistani army officials said the posts that were attacked were about 300 metres into Pakistani territory. Isaf officers, however, maintain that the border in that area is disputed.
Abbas told the Guardian that the firing lasted for over an hour, and that Isaf made no attempt to contact the Pakistani side.
This was a visible, well-made post, on top of ridges, made of concrete. Militants dont operate from mountaintops, from concrete structures.
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NATO apology not good enough: Pakistan army – The Express Tribune
Pakistan has 'established the facts' and conducted its investigation and provided details into the incident, officially.