Pakistani troops fire on US helicopters at border (again)

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Pakistani troops fired at American reconnaissance helicopters patrolling the Afghan-Pakistan border Thursday, heightening tensions as the U.S. steps up cross-border operations in a region known as a haven for Taliban and al-Qaida militants.

Two American OH-58 reconnaissance helicopters, known as Kiowas, were on a routine afternoon patrol in the eastern province of Khost when they received small arms fire from a Pakistani border post, said Tech Sgt. Kevin Wallace, a U.S. military spokesman. There was no damage to aircraft or crew, officials said.

"They did not cross the border and they did not fire back," Wallace said.

The Pakistani military disputed that assertion, saying its troops fired warning shots when the two helicopters crossed over the border — and that the U.S. helicopters fired back.

...

In Washington, Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said the coalition immediately requested an explanation from Pakistan for what he described as "an unfortunate incident."

"The Pakistanis have to provide us with a better understanding as to why this took place," Whitman told Pentagon reporters.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080925/ap_on_.../as_afghanistan

[HAL 9000 96]

Weird Sh!t going down...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Most likely, it was actually the Pakistanis who violated the border and stuck a post on the Afghan side (not exactly unprecedented, as Pakistan tried such a tactic in Kargil sector in 1999--unsuccessfully as it turned out).

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Bomb Pakistan. It would be a good chance for Bush to start anoher war before he leaves office.