PAKISTAN ANGER AT NATO-LED CROSS-BORDER RAIDS
Baku, September 27 (AZERTAC). Pakistan has voiced anger at rare Nato-led raids at the weekend which crossed over its border from Afghanistan.
Apache helicopters are said to have taken part in the operations which killed more than 50 insurgents.
Pakistan`s ministry of foreign affairs said the raids, launched from the Khost region of Afghanistan, were a violation of its sovereignty.
Nato has again insisted that it was operating within its mandate and troops had a right to defend themselves.
Pakistan`s comments were mainly aimed at a domestic audience, among which US military activity is often unpopular.
The International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said it had crossed over the border into Pakistan after coming under fire in the Khost region of Afghanistan. It said 49 insurgents had been killed.
Two Apache helicopters again crossed the border on Saturday, killing four to six insurgents, after coming under small-arms fire from the same area, it said.
Isaf has said the raids followed its rules of engagement in the region and that it has the right to enter Pakistan`s airspace while pursuing a target.
"Isaf forces must and will retain the authority, within their mandate, to defend themselves in carrying out their mission," a Nato official told the AFP news agency.
Other news in this section
