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US Releases Pakistan Border Clash Video

Coalition says footage proves troops were returning militants' fire

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 12, 2008 7:50 AM CDT
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(Newser) – US-led coalition forces have released a video shot from a surveillance drone showing a controversial clash on the Afghan-Pakistan border. Pakistan claims the engagement led to an airstrike that killed 11 of its troops, but the coalition says the footage proves that US and Afghan forces were simply returning fire after being attacked, the AP reports.

"Every indication we have is that this was a legitimate strike against forces that had attacked members of the coalition," says the Defense Department's press secretary. The incident has shaken the already fragile partnership between the US and Pakistan in the  battle against Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.

Pakistani officials and others offer funeral prayers to Pakistani paramilitary troops who lost their lives during a clash at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Pakistani officials and others offer funeral prayers to Pakistani paramilitary troops who lost their lives during a clash at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.   (AP Photo/Press Information Department)
A Pakistani Islamic student chants near a placard reading we condemn the US airstrike in the tribal areas during a rally over the strike that killed 11 Pakistani troops, Thursday, June 12, 2008.
A Pakistani Islamic student chants near a placard reading "we condemn the US airstrike in the tribal areas" during a rally over the strike that killed 11 Pakistani troops, Thursday, June 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
A Pakistani tribesman from Mohmand tribal region, who was injured in a clash between Afghan forces and Taliban militants, talks with his relatives at a local hospital in Peshawar.
A Pakistani tribesman from Mohmand tribal region, who was injured in a clash between Afghan forces and Taliban militants, talks with his relatives at a local hospital in Peshawar.   (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
The Mohmand tribal region in Pakistan where a U.S. airstrike killed Pakistani paramilitary troops.
The Mohmand tribal region in Pakistan where a U.S. airstrike killed Pakistani paramilitary troops.   (AP Photo)
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This is bad news for the alliance
Reuters

Tariq Ali: 'It is a traditional colonial ploy to blame 'outsiders' for internal problems'
Guardian (UK)

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • Pakistan • Pakistan militants • Afghan border • spy drones

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