Pakistan accuses Americans of incursion, and says they opened fire

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — U.S. helicopters flew into Pakistan’s militant-infested border region, but returned to Afghanistan after troops and tribesmen opened fire, intelligence officials said Monday. Washington denied the account.

The alleged incident late Sunday threatened new rifts between the United States and its key ally against terrorism.

Pakistan is under growing U.S. pressure to act against al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents sheltering in its border region and blamed for rising attacks on coalition troops in Afghanistan and suicide bombings in Pakistan.

U.S. officials believe that al-Qaida’s leaders, including Osama bin Laden, are hiding somewhere along the border.

A series of suspected U.S. missile strikes into the lawless region and a Sept. 3 raid by U.S. commandos said to have killed 15 people have highlighted U.S. impatience and angered many Pakistanis.

Two intelligence officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media that two U.S. helicopters crossed one mile into Pakistan in the Alwara Mandi area in North Waziristan on Sunday.

Citing informants in the field, they said Pakistani troops and tribesmen responded with small-arms fire, but it was not clear whether it was aimed at the choppers or just warning shots.

The helicopters did not return fire and re-entered Afghan airspace without landing, the officials said.

That account was denied by Pentagon officials. “There was no such incursion; there was no such event,” said Defense Department spokesman Col. Gary Keck.

White House press secretary Dana Perino, talking to reporters on Air Force One about the report, said: “I would question that report, and I’m going to refer to the Department of Defense for the veracity of the report, but that has been debunked.”

Pakistan’s army said it had no information on the reported incursion across the poorly demarcated border.

Its military chief and newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari have said the missile strikes and incursions were violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and only fueled extremist violence.

Zardari, who is expected to meet President Bush in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this week, reiterated that he welcomed U.S. intelligence help, but not its troops.

“Give us the intelligence and we will do the job,” he said in an interview with NBC. “It’s better done by our forces than yours.”

Also Monday, Afghanistan said it wants to set up a joint military force that would have the power to operate on both sides of the border with Pakistan, where militants have found safe haven.

Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said Monday that he has proposed creating a joint force to include coalition forces operating on Afghan territory and Pakistanis operating on their side.

“A terrorist does not recognize any boundaries,” Wardak said. “So to fight them I think we have to eventually come up with some arrangement together with our neighbor, Pakistan — that we should have a combined and joint task force of coalition, Afghan and Pakistanis to be able to operate on both sides of the borders regardless of which side.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest Senior Associate ESL Instructor James Wilcox, right, works on speaking and writing with Anfal Zaroug, 32, who is accompanied by her daughter Celia Hassen, 6 months, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
What will Trump’s immigration policy mean for Snohomish County?

The president-elect has vowed to ramp up deportations and limit legal immigration.

Water cascades down the Lower Falls near the Woody Trail at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. A nearly six mile round-trip to the park's Upper Falls offers hikers an array of vistas on a well maintained trail.
Wallace Falls closed due to bomb cyclone damage

Over 170 trees fell in last month’s storm. The park near Gold Bar is closed until further notice.

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha (Snohomish County)
Snohomish County executive director takes new gig with Port of Seattle

Neepaporn “A” Boungjaktha joined the county in 2022. Her last day will be Jan. 2.

People walk into the Everett Library off of Hoyt Avenue on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How will new Everett library hours affect its programs?

This month, the two branches scaled back their hours in light of budget cuts stemming from a city deficit.

The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library is open and ready for blast off. Dillon Works, of Mukilteo, designed this eye-catching sculpture that greets people along Evergreen Way.   (Dan Bates / The Herald)
Snohomish County awards money to improve warming, cooling centers

The money for HVAC improvements will allow facilities to better serve as temporary shelters for weather-related events.

Marysville
Marysville to hold post-holiday ‘tree-cycling’ event

You can dispose of your tree and holiday packaging Jan. 4.

The Safeway at 4128 Rucker Ave. on Wednesday. This location was set to be one of the 19 in Snohomish County sold to C&S Wholesale if the merger between Kroger and Albertsons went through. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Washington unions celebrate Kroger-Albertsons merger’s demise

Nineteen grocery stores in Snohomish County would have been sold if the deal went through.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett committee finds downtown AquaSox stadium more viable

But both options — a new downtown stadium or a Funko Field remodel — cost more than the city can raise right now.

Lynnwood
Man, 24, killed in Lynnwood shed fire identified

The cause of the fire that killed Lukas Goodman remained under investigation this week.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish school leader on leave following sex abuse allegations

Last month, police arrested Julian Parker for investigation of child rape. Prosecutors are reviewing the case for charges.

Outside Housing Hope's new Madrona Highlands housing complex on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Experts tackle the ‘all of us problem’ of housing in Snohomish County

Increasing housing supply would bring down prices and combat homelessness, advocates said Tuesday.

x
Edmonds School District cancels immigrant rights event after threats

The conservative social media account Libs of TikTok called attention to the Dec. 17 event, prompting a flood of threats.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.