NATO gave information about far away location from Salala about attack: ISPR

NATO gave information about far away location from Salala about attack: ISPR

By Saleem Mehsud

ISLAMABAD, Dec 03: Rejecting the Nato claim that Pakistan army was informed in advance about the area of operation, Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas has said that location informed by NATO with reference to its operation ahead of its attack on check post was far away from Salala but NATO forces attacked Salala check post.

Athar Abbas said that targeting Salala check post by NATO helicopters when NATO was already been informed about its first attack about this post was beyond comprehension.

Talking to a private TV channel DG ISPR, Maj Gen Athar Abbas said no treaty existed between Pakistan and NATO forces for launching joint operation or moving to each others areas.

"However border coordination centres were functioning on borders and when any operation is conducted at any place near the borders then information in advance is given in this respect, he pointed out".

DG ISPR said that Nato officials has asked border coordination centre that Nato forces would conduct operation in Gorapria area of Afghanistan about which Pakistani forces said that no army deployment existed on Goraprai area on the Pak-Afghan border but the Nato forces conducted operation in Salala area which was far away from the area mentioned by Nato forces for clearance.

He said the border coordination centres were installed at four separate spots at the Pak-Afghan border in order to inform officials of both countries about operation and presence of army deployment on either side of the border in wake of any operation and it was also decided that forces of both the countries would not entered into territory of other country. Border between both the countries will be considered Red Line, DG ISPR mentioned.

He said Pakistani authorities informed NATO that its check post had been shelled but NATO helicopters came back and again targeted our check post which was beyond comprehension, he said.

When the Nato forces conducted operation in Salala area and killed 24 security forces personnel then a female Major appointed at coordination centre regretted that she made mistake by telling Pakistani coordination centre wrong area.