US: both to blame for border deaths
Source: Agencies |
December 23, 2011, Friday
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A US military investigation found yesterday that both American and Pakistani forces were to blame in an incident along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border that killed 24 Pakistani troops and worsened strained US-Pakistan ties.
"Inadequate coordination by US and Pakistani military officers operating through the border coordination center - including our reliance on incorrect mapping information shared with the Pakistani liaison officer - resulted in a misunderstanding about the true location of Pakistani military units," the Pentagon said in a statement summarizing conclusions from an investigation into the November 26 incident.
"This, coupled with other gaps in information about the activities and placement of units from both sides, contributed to the tragic result," the statement said.
The loss of life incensed the Pakistanis, who demanded the US leave an air base used to launch drone flights and blocked ground supply routes to US forces in Afghanistan. They also want a formal US apology.
A US defense official said it was still unclear why Pakistani forces opened fire on the US helicopters. "That answer would have come more readily had the Pakistanis participated (in the investigation)," the official said.
"Inadequate coordination by US and Pakistani military officers operating through the border coordination center - including our reliance on incorrect mapping information shared with the Pakistani liaison officer - resulted in a misunderstanding about the true location of Pakistani military units," the Pentagon said in a statement summarizing conclusions from an investigation into the November 26 incident.
"This, coupled with other gaps in information about the activities and placement of units from both sides, contributed to the tragic result," the statement said.
The loss of life incensed the Pakistanis, who demanded the US leave an air base used to launch drone flights and blocked ground supply routes to US forces in Afghanistan. They also want a formal US apology.
A US defense official said it was still unclear why Pakistani forces opened fire on the US helicopters. "That answer would have come more readily had the Pakistanis participated (in the investigation)," the official said.
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