U.S., Pakistan continue to spar on NATO strike

Islamabad demands full version of U.S. report

Pakistan and U.S. find themselves at odds with each other again with Islamabad rejecting the American probe into the deadly NATO cross border strike that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead and Washington standing by it “100 per cent”.

The first salvo was fired by the Pakistani Army which on Monday officially rejected the probe report of the November 26 attack prepared by American Brigadier General Stepehen Clark saying Islamabad does not agree with several portions and findings of the ‘Investigation Report' as these are not factually correct.

The Pakistani Army also argued that the NATO strike was an “unprovoked attack”.

Hours later, the Pentagon struck back saying the U.S. stands by its own investigation that it was not an unprovoked firing by the U.S.-led forces.

“This [Pakistani military remarks] does not change our belief in the validity of the findings. The statement that this was an unprovoked attack by American forces is simply false,” said Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt John Kirby.

Asserting that the U.S. stands “100 per cent” by the investigation done by a top general from the Central Command (CENTOCM) released last month, Captain Kirby said the U.S. had desired Pakistani participation in that investigation, which then would have been more thorough.

Pakistan's absence from participation in the CENTCOM investigation, Captain Kirby said, “does not change our firm belief in the validity of the findings of the investigations that we did”.

The Pakistani Army which had issued a statement rejecting the probe report, has also uploaded a detailed “Pakistani Perspective on the US Investigation Report”, approved by Defence Committee of the Cabinet, on its media arm ISPR's website.

Saying it has received the unclassified version of the probe report, Pakistan has demanded that “full and complete classified version of the US Investigation Report be made available.”

It has also sought provision of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance picture of the complete incident along with all aerial platform videos and record of radio transmissions and communication between the crew(s) of the aerial platforms involved.

The NATO strike was a huge setback to the then already tense U.S.-Pak relations. Pakistan had reacted angrily after the soldiers were killed and 13 more injured when NATO helicopters and combat jets from Afghanistan targeted two military check posts in Salala area of Mohmand tribal region.

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.

US stresses 'importance' of Pak ties after Nato strike

 People shout slogans against Nato air strikes during a protest in Lahore on Saturday. Arif Ali/ AFP PhotoThe United States stressed the "importance" of its ties with Pakistan after up to 26 soldiers were killed in cross-border Nato air strikes on Saturday, plunging already frosty relations into crisis.

In a joint statement, US secretary of defense Leon Panetta and secretary of state Hillary

Clinton offered their "deepest condolences" and said they backed "Nato's intention to investigate immediately."

"Secretaries Clinton and Panetta have been closely monitoring reports of the cross-border incident in Pakistan today," the statement said.

"Both offer their deepest condolences for the loss of life and support fully Nato's intention to investigate immediately."

Islamabad has ordered a review of all arrangements with the United States and Nato, including diplomatic, political, military and intelligence activities, following the deadly cross-border strikes.

The US-led Nato force in Afghanistan admitted it was "highly likely" that the force's aircraft caused the pre-dawn deaths, inflaming US-Pakistani relations still reeling from the May killing of Osama bin Laden.

Pakistan also told the United States to vacate a remote air base reportedly used as a hub for covert CIA drone strikes on areas bordering Afghanistan, though US officials have said no US military personnel are based there.

Clinton, General John Allen, the US commander in Afghanistan, and the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, called their Pakistani counterparts to discuss the situation.

"These US diplomatic and military leaders each stressed -- in addition to their sympathies and a commitment to review the circumstances of the incident -- the importance of the US-Pakistani partnership, which serves the mutual interests of our people," the US statement said.

"All these leaders pledged to remain in close contact with their Pakistani counterparts going forward as we work through this challenging time."