Pak troops fire at NATO choppers alleging airspace breach

KABUL: Pakistani troops fired at NATO-led helicopters operating in eastern Afghanistan, the international force said, adding that there was no damage or casualties.

Amid mounting tensions between Islamabad and foreign forces in Afghanistan over a series of incursions, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stressed that the helicopters had not crossed into Pakistani airspace.

"ISAF helicopters received small-arms fire from a Pakistan military checkpoint along the border near Tanai district, Khost, September 25 while conducting routine operations in Afghanistan," it said in a statement.

"There are no reports of any damages to the helicopters or any casualties."

The statement added: "ISAF forces and the Pakistani military are working together to resolve the matter."

Tensions across the rugged and porous border are high after a series of US missile strikes on al-Qaida-linked militants and an incursion by US soldiers into Pakistani tribal areas adjoining Afghanistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday reiterated that his country would not tolerate such violations of its sovereignty.

"I want to declare categorically that we will not tolerate the violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity by anyone in the name of combating terrorism," Gilani had said at a dinner in Islamabad.

Pakistani troops allege airspace violation

Pakistan's army says its troops fired warning shots when two helicopters crossed the Afghan border and that the helicopters returned fire before re-crossing the frontier.

It said it was in contact with NATO's headquarters in Kabul and that the issue was being resolved.