http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/world/asia/28pstan.html


New York Times
September 27, 2010


NATO Carries Out Air Strikes Inside Pakistan
By ROD NORDLAND


-Coalition officials said the cross-border attacks fell within its rules of
engagement because the insurgents had attacked them from across the border. The
Associated Press reported that a third strike inside Pakistani territory was
carried out by two NATO helicopters on Monday.


KABUL, Afghanistan: NATO forces in Afghanistan launched two airstrikes against
Taliban insurgents on the Pakistani side of the border, killing more than 30
people, military spokesmen confirmed on Monday.

The airstrikes, which took place last Friday and Saturday, were unusual because
they involved piloted aircraft rather than drones, which are more commonly used
to attack insurgents on the Pakistani side of the border, and which are normally
operated by the Central Intelligence Agency.

Spokesmen for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force initially
denied any of its forces had launched the airstrikes, although they were
confirmed by Afghan police officials.

On Monday, however, a statement from the international force confirmed the
attacks and put the death toll at more than 30. Initially, a base close to the
border in Khost Province, known as Combat Outpost Narizah, came under fire from
insurgents on Friday. When what the military described as an “air weapons
team” responded, they came under fire from the insurgents on the Pakistani
side of the frontier and returned fire, killing at least 30.

When two helicopters from the international force returned to the area the next
day, they were fired on again from the Pakistani side of the border, and again
returned fire, killing several more insurgents, spokesmen said.

The Khost Provincial Police Chief, Gen. Abdul Hakim Isahqzai, put the death toll
among the insurgents at 82 or higher. There have been no complaints of civilian
casualties.

Coalition officials said the cross-border attacks fell within its rules of
engagement because the insurgents had attacked them from across the border. The
Associated Press reported that a third strike inside Pakistani territory was
carried out by two NATO helicopters on Monday. Pakistani intelligence officials
told The A.P. that the attack killed five militants and wounded nine others.

Farooq Jan Mangal contributed reporting from Khost Province, Afghanistan.
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