Pakistani officials say their soldiers forced U.S. military helicopters to turn back to Afghanistan, after the aircraft crossed into Pakistani territory.Local officials Monday said Pakistani soldiers fired warning shots at the U.S. helicopters overnight in the tribal region of South Waziristan.
A Pakistani army spokesman confirmed that there had been shooting. But he said the U.S. helicopters had not crossed Pakistani airspace and that Pakistani soldiers were not responsible for the gunfire.
The U.S. military has not commented on the incident.
Last week, Pakistan's army chief warned foreign forces not to conduct operations inside the country, saying he will defend its sovereignty "at all costs."
General Ashfaq Kayani issued the warning after a series of apparent U.S. raids on militant targets in Pakistani tribal regions.
U.S. officials have said American forces based in Afghanistan carried out a helicopter-borne assault into Pakistan's South Waziristan region two weeks ago. Pakistani officials said the raid killed at least 15 people including civilians, prompting them to file a protest with Washington.
Kayani said there is no agreement that allows the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan to cross the border into Pakistan to carry out attacks.
Kayani added that such operations risk fueling militancy in the region and create mistrust among allies fighting terrorism.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-09-15-voa33.cfm?rss=united%20states
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