Pakistani security forces and armed tribesmen on Monday
foiled an attempt by US troops to enter Pakistani territory by firing shots at
them, security officials said.
The attacks came as Pakistani forces killed up to 20 Taliban militants in the
tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
Two US military helicopters crossed into Pakistan and tried to land near Angor
Adda area of South Waziristan tribal district along the Afghan border before
dawn, a local security official said.
"But our security forces and the tribesmen who were alert opened fire at
them and forced them to flee back to Afghanistan," added the official who
spoke on condition of anonymity.
There were conflicting official versions of the attempted US strike.
A senior official in the country's foreign ministry said American ground
troops, which were backed by US helicopter gunships, tried to cross over
border, but were forced to flee by the tribesmen.
"Pakistani troops did not take part in the action," he said seeking
anonymity.
No one was hurt in the incident, which an army spokesman denied took place.
"We completely deny the incident. There was no violation of our border
from the Afghan side and therefore there was no question of any firing from our
side," Major Murad Khan insisted.
However, he said firing was heard in the area but the army did not know where
it had come from and where it was aimed.
A local resident, Sher Ali, said the tribesmen in the Angor Adda area had been
on alert since September 3 when US special forces dropped by US helicopters
killed more than 20 civilians.
"People had information since Sunday night that the US forces were
gathering across the border so thousands of armed tribesmen were guarding their
area," he added.
"Good for them (Americans) that they turned back. Otherwise, people were
ready to give them the sort of welcome they deserve."
Tension has been brewing between Islamabad and Washington in recent weeks as US
forces have increased missile attacks, mostly carried out by drones, at the suspected
hideouts of militants who launch cross-border raids on international forces in
Afghanistan.
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told the US
Congress last Wednesday that Washington was planning military operations to
eliminate militant sanctuaries in Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan's military chief General Ishfaq Parvez Kayani has vowed
to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country "at all
cost."
The US attacks have also fuelled anger among the Pakistani public which is now
demanding the new government in Islamabad abandon cooperation with the US in
the international fight against terrorism.
But there are no indications that the government, led by the widower of slain
Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari, intends to do that. The government
has vowed to resolve the issue through diplomacy.
On Tuesday Zardari will meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London to
discuss the matter and next week he is expected to see US President George W Bush
after he arrives in Washington on an official visit.
Meanwhile, in Bajaur tribal district up to 20 militants died as Pakistani jets,
helicopters and artillery pounded positions in Kamangar, Loi Sum and Banda,
according to a local security official.
Army spokesman Major Murad said several militant positions were attacked on
Monday but the losses had yet to be ascertained, dpa
reported.