Context
Pakistani military lodged a protest yesterday and called for a meeting with NATO officials after coalition helicopters attacked Admi Kot check Post, near Datta Khel in North Waziristan. The attack resulted in wounding two Pakistani soldiers. The incident ocurred one day after Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani met US Senator John Kerry, amid growing tensions between the two countries since the death of Osama Bin Laden on May 2nd. A NATO military official in Kabul told reporters that two coalition helicopters had returned fire after they came under attack from Pakistan.
This is also the area where previously a number of controversial drone attacks have occurred. Pakistan has protested strongly when drones have targeted militants belonging to Haqqani network or Hafez Gul Bahadur, which are considered friendly towards Pakistan. Since the elimination of Osama bin Laden, US has demanded Pakistan launch an operation in North Waziristan. Yesterdays incident can be seen as a pressure tactic to test Pakistan’s response and possibly to pressure the nation in to action against militants hiding in North Waziristan Agency.
