U.S and Pakistan ties still fragile

A report looking into the 26 November air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers has been rejected by its military.

In a statement Pakistan’s Military said it does not agree with several portions and findings of the investigation as these are factually incorrect. The U.S report found both American and Pakistani forces were to blame for the border incident. further inflaming the already fragile ties between the two nations.

The statement said:

“Affixing partial responsibility of the incident onPakistanis therefore unjustified and unacceptable,

“Fundamental cause of the incident of 26th November, 2011, was the failure of U.S./ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) to share its near-border operation withPakistanat any level.”

TheUSmilitary said it stood “100 percent” behind its investigation and Captain John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, noted thatPakistandeclined to participate in the American probe.

TheUSmilitary blamed Pakistani soldiers for firing at NATO forces as they prepared for a mission in the remote corner of easternAfghanistan.

The US investigation also conceded a critical error by US troops, who told Pakistan the cross-border shooting was taking place about 9 miles (14 km) away due to mapping error.Pakistanresponded by saying it had no troops there.

Pakistan admitted that its posts engaged in “speculative fire”, including the use of mortar bombs, which the U.S interpreted as hostile fire.

But it denies that it fired in the direction of the Afghan and NATO forces and was instead firing at “suspected militant movement.”

The attacks severely damaged relations between the two countries with Pakistan responding by shutting down ground routes to supply US-led Nato forces in Afghanistan and forced the U.S to vacate an air base used to launch drone flights.

A senior Pakistani security official told Reuters last week that the routes would be reopened, but heavy tariffs would be imposed.