NATO choppers violate Pak airspace again

LAHORE - Two NATO helicopters again violated Pakistan’s airspace in Khyber Agency, a TV channel reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the NATO helicopters flew about 400 yards into Pakistan territory, and then returned to their airbase back in Afghanistan, the Daily Times reported.

While Pakistan officials have neither confirmed nor denied the violation of the country’s airspace by those helicopters, NATO denied the violation reports.

However, according to another TV channel, explosions were heard during the incursion by the NATO helicopters.

Earlier in October, Pakistan had strongly reacted to the cross-border air strikes staged by the US-led forces, and closed one of its supply routes for NATO forces in Afghanistan in what was seen as retaliation against the air raids, and reopened it only after receiving apologies from the US and NATO.

“Apology is fine. But no more incursion in future. We do not want it to be repeated. Pakistani nation and armed forces are fully capable to defend motherland,” Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said. He had also stated, “We have been given assurances it will not happen again.” (ANI)