Pakistan Said to Fire on U.S. Copters

New York Times ^

[milestogo]

Pakistan Said to Fire on U.S. Copters By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 11:47 a.m. ET

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Pakistani troops fired at American reconnaissance helicopters patrolling the Afghan-Pakistan border Thursday, heightening tensions as the U.S. steps up cross-border operations in a region known as a haven for Taliban and al-Qaida militants.

Two American OH-58 reconnaissance helicopters, known as Kiowas, were on a routine afternoon patrol in the eastern province of Khost when they received small arms fire from a Pakistani border post, said Tech Sgt. Kevin Wallace, a U.S. military spokesman. There was no damage to aircraft or crew, officials said.

''They did not cross the border and they did not fire back,'' Wallace said.

The Pakistani military disputed that assertion, saying its troops fired warning shots when the two helicopters crossed over the border -- and that the U.S. helicopters fired back.

''When the helicopters passed over our border post and were well within Paskitani territory, own security forces fires anticipatory warning shots. On this, the helicopters returned fire and flew back,'' a Pakistani military statement said.

[Camel Joe]

If they are not with us then they are against us, not a particularly wise or safe place to be.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

“the U.S. helicopters fired back.”

Easily proved or refuted...give us a photo of the smoking black hole in the ground!

[G8 Diplomat]

Pakistan ۋﮧ۱م

FReepmail if you want on or off

[SlayerOfBunnies]

The Pakistani military disputed that assertion, saying its troops fired warning shots when the two helicopters crossed over the border -- and that the U.S. helicopters fired back.

If we had fired back then there would have been few if any survivors to dispute that assertion.

[hattend]

''When the helicopters passed over our border post and were well within Paskitani territory, own security forces fires anticipatory warning shots. On this, the helicopters returned fire and flew back,'' a Pakistani military statement said.

Is the post still there or is it a smoking hole in the ground? If still there, the Pakistanis are lying.

[LibertyRocks]

That’s what makes this assertion by Pakistan so idiotic. Even our enemies know that if we were to return fire, they wouldn’t be “warning shots”. Our soldiers don’t “play around” they get the job done...

[SlayerOfBunnies]

Dang right they do. :-D

[omega4179]

We must make no distinction between terrorists and those country that harbor terrorists.

[headstamp 2]

Do the Kiowas have guns on them?

[Redbob]

We have an answer for "people" who do things like this:

[stimpy17]

Gentlemen, you have my permission to fire back.

[CholeraJoe]

And Hellfire missiles, too.