Gunfire 'prevents US helicopters from entering Pakistan'
Monday, 22 Sep 2008 10:17
Soldiers in northern Pakistan prevent US helicopters from entering country from Afghanistan by shooting into the air
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Soldiers and tribesmen in
Pakistan's northern region have reportedly shot into the air to stop US helicopters from crossing the country's border with Afghanistan.
According to local security officials the incident took place in Lowara Mandi in North Waziristan late on Sunday evening.
Although the confrontation has not been confirmed, it is the second such report of US helicopters being shot at in a matter of days.
There were no reports of any casualties in either incident.
The US-led coalition in Afghanistan is stepping up attacks upon Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), which it believes is being used as a base for Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents.
Last week it emerged that US president George Bush had given the go-ahead for a cross border raid without the consent of the Pakistani authorities.
The country's new president Asif Ali Zardari, who has made combating extremism and terrorism his main priority, is due to travel to the US tomorrow to hold talks with Mr Bush on the issue.