US coalition releases video defending Pakistan air strike
Thursday, 12 Jun 2008 09:51
Pakistan accused the US-led forces of launching an "unprovoked and cowardly" attack
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The US-led coalition in Afghanistan has released video footage, allegedly showing attacks against insurgents, in response to accusations it killed 11 Pakistani soldiers in an air strike.
Pakistan yesterday accused the US-led forces of launching an "unprovoked and cowardly" attack.
The incident hit at the "very basis of cooperation and sacrifice with which Pakistani soldiers are supporting the coalition in the war against terror", a strongly–worded statement declared.
In response, the US military claimed the attack had been aimed at Taliban fighters in the area and had been coordinated with Islamabad.
To back up their argument video footage was today released and a statement declaring regret at the "reported loss of Pakistani life".
The US maintains the footage shows "precision" strikes on a group of seven insurgents who sought refuge in Pakistan after attacking a coalition patrol in eastern Afghanistan, the AFP news agency reports.
The incident comes as tensions between Washington and Kabul continue over Pakistan's efforts to negotiate with the Taliban.