Nato pursues rebels into Pakistan

Nato-led forces say they have killed more than 30 insurgents on Pakistani soil after a rare pursuit across the border from Afghanistan.

Two Apache helicopters from the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan reportedly took part in Saturday’s operation.

It followed an attack by insurgents on an Afghan security outpost in Khost.

Isaf says no civilians were killed in the operation – but this has not been independently confirmed.

Pakistani media said that Isaf helicopters hit a group of fighters from the Haqqani network, a branch of the Afghan Taliban which operates in Pakistan.

In a statement, Isaf said that the Afghan National Security Force in the eastern province of Khost was attacked on Friday by “a significant number of insurgents”.

“An air team in the area observed the enemy fire, and following International Security Assistance Force rules of engagement, crossed into the area of enemy fire.”

The statement added that “the Isaf aircraft then engaged, killing more than 30 insurgents”.

Isaf helicopters returned to the border area on Saturday and “were engaged by small-arms fire”.

“The aircraft returned fire, resulting in several additional insurgents killed,” the statement said.

An Isaf spokesman, Sgt Matt Summers, later confirmed that the helicopters had crossed into Pakistan.

But he did not reveal the location of the operation or say which Isaf countries’ forces were involved.

Analysts say the only coalition member using Apache helicopters in Afghanistan is the US.

American forces regularly use drone aircraft for missile strikes in Pakistan’s tribal belt, but manned air raids across the border are rare.

Isaf’s force was established by the UN in late 2001 with a stated mission of promoting security and development; it is also training Afghan soldiers and police.

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