Army rules out joint probe

ISLAMABAD - The military top brass is engaged in chalking out a two-pronged strategy: to ensure that there are no more Nato-Isaf attacks against the countrys military posts and the troops deployed across the Pak-Afghan border; and to urge the US commanders in Afghanistan to identify and punish those who ordered and executed unprovoked raids on two posts 'Volcano and 'Boulder in Mohmand Agency. The helicopters operation on November 26 is being viewed among the military circlesas a deliberate act of 'aggression that killed 24 Pakistani troops including two officers. The announcement made by the Pentagon, Isaf and Nato headquarters that an investigation would be carried out by senior military officials has little credibility in the eyes of the GHQ since it was not satisfied with the outcome of their earlier findings on such episodes. Defence sources in the capital rule out the possibility of a joint investigation of the tragic incident, which has angered people across the country. Briefing senior representatives of the print and electronic media, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Maj-Gen Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmad said both Nato and Isaf had deviated from all provisions of the agreement with Pakistan of not to attack each others troops and positions while carrying out operations against terrorists operating on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border. The briefing was scheduled to be addressed by Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, but at the eleventh hour he chose not to turn up. The DGMO did not agree with the Nato and Isaf justification that the raids were conducted as a sequel to an operation initiated by Pakistani troops, and said raids on Pak posts were 'unprovoked. Their claim that these were not targeted attacks or that the top commanders were unaware are 'blatant lies, he said. He said in just seven to 15 minutes Isaf and Nato were informed at various levels that Pakistani posts were under attack. Asked why Pakistan Air Force was not used to defend troops, the DGMO said if PAF planes were brought into action, they had to chase the attacking helicopters into Afghan territory which would have deteriorated the situation further. As to why the troops were not equipped to repel such raids, he replied that troops were deployed only to take action against terrorists moving on both sides of the fence. He said the defence of the Line of Control was totally different. We cant afford the luxury of deploying similar weapons and equipment on both eastern and western borders at the same time, and we are not technologically as well equipped as Nato and Isaf forces are. Pakistans military presence on the western border is not to attack allied forces. Had this been the case, our deployment would have been entirely different. The DGMO said his office and allied headquarters were on regular contact with each other and added that he was given to understand that those involved in the Nov 26 raid had been withdrawn from their positions. Asked if the helicopters involved in the attack were American or allied forces, the DGMO said since the United States was the biggest partner of the military alliance, it did not matter whether they were American or belonged to Isaf-Nato. The DGMO confronted a questioner that it would be wrong to build up a perception that armed forces either had no option to respond to Nato attacks or it was incapable of defending any aggression. Similarly, he promptly responded to questioner saying it was a wrong notion that Army was only concerned with its troops being killed in drone attacks and did not bother about civilian casualties. For us in the army, those being killed are Pakistanis and there was no question of any discrimination, he stressed. Gen Ashfaq Nadeem said Pakistan Army would not accept any compensation offered by the United States for those who were martyred during recent NATO-led helicopter attack. Pakistan Army has its own in-built system of compensating families of those who render their lives defending the motherland. Asked if joining war on terror by Pakistan Army was a bad marriage, in a lighter vein, Gen Nadeem said fighting among partners take place even among the good marriages. Asked if the Nato supply route should remain suspended, the General said that it was for the federal government to decide. Asked what the top Pak military commanders were expecting from the investigations that Pentagon had ordered, DGMO said: We are only interested in finding out who carried the operation and on whose orders. On whether Pakistan should attend or boycott the Bonn conference, he said it was not for the army to decide. It was entirely the jurisdiction of the government to review the prevailing situation and decide what was in the best national interest. On reports that Pakistan had bombarded localities inside Afghan territory as claimed by the Afghan military commander, he said an ISAF commander along with the said Afghan commander flew into the area and found no traces of any attack or bombing. This has embarrassed the said Afghan commander and he had to eat his own words. The DGMO provided comprehensive details of the locations of 'Volcano and 'Boulder posts, timing of the attack and how Pakistani troops conducted themselves in this difficult situation. He also explained at length the existing multi-levels coordination mechanism between Pak Army and allied forces.

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