ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Army on Monday rejected the detailed findings of the NATO probe into the killings of 24 Pakistani soldiers as result of the NATO gunship choppers attack on two military pickets in Pakistani area, last year.
In a statement, the military said that Pakistan did not agree with several portions and findings of the investigation report, as these, according to the statement, were factually not correct. “The fundamental cause of the incident of November 26, 2011 was the failure of US/ISAF to share its near-border operation with Pakistan at any level. This obviously was a major omission, as were several others, like the complicated chain of command, complex command and control structure and unimaginative/intricate rules of engagement as well as lack of unified military command in Afghanistan. In addition to the foregoing, US/ISAF violated all mutually agreed procedures with Pakistan for near-border operations put in place to avert such uncalled for actions. It also carried out unprovoked engagement of Pakistani posts located inside Pakistan violating the US/ISAF mandate which is limited to Afghanistan alone,” the statement said.
Rejecting the Pentagon’s assertion that NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) forces had acted in self-defence and affixation of partial responsibility for the November 26 incident on Pakistani forces by the NATO, Pakistan Army said, “The US investigation report is structured around the argument of ‘self defence’ and ‘proportional use of force’, an argument which is contrary to facts. Continued engagement by US/ISAF despite being informed about the incident at multiple levels by Pakistan military within minutes of initiation of US/ISAF fire, belies the ‘self-defence’ and ‘proportional use of force’s contention. Affixing partial responsibility of the incident on Pakistan is, therefore, unjustified and unacceptable.”
Earlier on December 23, the military had rejected the initial findings of Mohmand Agency attack probe saying it did not agree with those. “The inquiry report is short on facts. Detailed response will be given as and when the formal report is received” the NATO-led ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) had shared the formal report with Pakistan Army the very next day.
Furthermore, Pakistan military had also expressed serious reservations over Brigadier General Stephen Clark’s leading the Mohmand probe. Clark remained head of the Air Force Special Operations Forces (AFSOF) and Colonel Commandant of the 27 Special Operations Forces (SOF) Wing deployed in Afghanistan, in his capacity as head of the Air Force Special Operations Forces (AFSOF). The 16 Squadron Wing of the United States Air Force (USAF) whose gunship choppers AC-130 H Spectre bombarded the Pakistani pickets, was also headed by Brig Gen Clark as Chief Pilot. It is to be recalled that the military pickets Volcano and Boulder were destroyed when the NATO helicopters attacked them at Selala area of Mohmand Agency resulting in two dozen casualties of Pakistan’s military men on November 26 last year.
Army’s strong-worded and detailed reaction to the NATO probe ahead of Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) is conspicuously striking. The PCNS is scheduled to take up the NATO supplies blockade issue on the coming January 31.
The reports suggesting resumption of NATO supplies following the fresh rounds of backdoor Pak-US deliberations for redefining terms of engagement have not apparently gone well with the military. Earlier last week, the three armed forces chiefs as well as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Khalid Shamim Wyne had visited the Presidency to attend an official gathering. This reportedly followed Army Chief General Ashafq Parvez Kayani’s “request” to President Asif Ali Zardari not to resume the NATO supplies any sooner.
On Sunday, the Defence of Pakistan Council, a group of right-wing religious leaders reportedly having close linkages with military establishment had warned of protests if NATO supplies resumed. “Warning” shots have also been fired from rightists in different segments of Pakistani society. Earlier last week, Frontier Corps (FC), a paramilitary wing of Pakistan Army, had detained 12 Afghan bound containers that were reportedly carrying oil for NATO forces in Afghanistan under the garb of Afghan Transit Trade (ATT). Reportedly, the military does not agree to the proposals regarding resuming NATO supplies after imposition of heavy taxes and toughened conditions and wants these supplies to remain stopped till a formal and unconditional apology is tendered by the US over the NATO attack. After having clung to a seemingly toughened stance on blockade of NATO supplies, any backtracking on this issue could possibly draw strong criticism against the military in Pakistan.