A major and a captain were among the martyred troops and about 11 others were wounded in the attack that came around 2am at two mountaintop checkpoints, about 2.5 km from the border. About 40 Pakistani army troops were stationed at the outposts at Selala, a suburb of Balezai region in Mohmand Agency, and sources in political administration suggested the casualties had reached 28.
The attack is the worst single incident of its kind since Pakistan uneasily allied itself with Washington after Sept 11, 2001 attacks. The reaction from Pakistan military as well as the civilian government at this apparent provocation was strong and prompt, and they sent a clear message that no such action at any pretext was acceptable to Pakistan.
An ISPR statement released Saturday said that Pakistani troops effectively responded immediately in self-defence with all available weapons. The press release said a strong protest has been launched with NATO/ISAF in which it has been demanded that strong and urgent action be taken against those responsible for this aggression. The incident occurred a day after US General John Allen met Pakistani Army Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to discuss border control and enhanced cooperation.
Strongly condemning the attack, Gen Kayani said that the NATO/ISAF’s ‘blatant and unacceptable aggression’ resulted in loss of precious lives of Pakistani soldiers, according to the ISPR press release. While lauding the effective response by the soldiers of Pakistan Army in self-defence, he directed to take ‘all necessary steps’ for an effective response to this irresponsible act. A senior Pakistani military officer said efforts were under way to bring the bodies of the slain soldiers to Ghalanai, the headquarters of Mohmand tribal region. “The latest attack on our post will have serious repercussions as they (NATO troops) without any reason attacked our post and killed soldiers asleep,” he said.
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