Nato strike kills 24 Pak troops

Twenty four Pakistani security personnel died early Saturday morning in a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) helicopter raid. Thirteen security men are reportedly injured, many of them in a serious condition. Both Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Army chief have condemned the attack in the most serious terms. Army chief General Kayani termed the attack "unacceptable and irresponsible." In a statement, Kayani said that Nato must take action against its personnel who conducted the raid.

US Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Cameron Munter, was summoned to the Pakistan Foreign Office Saturday evening where he was handed a note of protest by foreign secretary Salman Basheer. The Pakistan foreign secretary told the Munter that there could be "serious repercussions" following the attack, reported a local news channel.

The attack took place on two security check posts in Salala, in Tehsil Bayzai of Mohmand Agency, close to the Pakistan-Afghan border. At least forty soldiers were stationed at this post, say officials. Nearby areas were also attacked by the Nato helicopters

"This is an attack on Pakistan's territorial sovereignty," said Barrister Masood Kausar, the governor of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. "Such cross-border attacks cannot be tolerated anymore."

The attack will likely worsen US-Pakistan relations, already at one of their lowest points in history.