US respects Pakistans sovereignty: Mullen

US military chief Admiral Mike Mullen called the Pakistani military leadership and assured them that Washington respected Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The calls were made after Pakistan lodged strong protests against a series of attacks by the US-led International Security Assistance Force during the last three days, and conveyed to the United States that if forces in Afghanistan continued to violate its territorial integrity it would be forced to consider appropriate response.
At Pentagon, spokesman Col Dave Lapan told journalists that recent cross-border air strikes by Nato helicopters in Pakistan might have violated procedures and resulted from communication breakdowns.I dont know that Id call it a disagreement but there are certainly discussions under way between our forces and the Pakistanis about this particular incident, he said. Col Lapan said the talks were focused on what were the communication breakdowns, what happened, what was supposed to happen.Isaf forces were not able to notify Pakistani officers about the helicopter strikes until after the operation, he said.I think I can say that clearly in these instances things didnt occur in the way that theyre supposed to. And thats what were trying to get to, Col Lapan said.Isaf said in an earlier statement that the helicopters went after insurgents in Pakistan after an Afghan security forces outpost in the Khost province came under attack on Friday.Diplomatic sources in Washington told newsmen that Pakistan had informed the Americans that while Islamabad was Americas partner in the war against terror, they are very sensitive to their sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Pakistanis insisted that the UN and Nato mandate for operating inside Afghanistan ended on the Afghan border and it does not cover an inch of Pakistani territory.The Pakistanis said that they were still investigating the three incidents to see if the helicopters fired their weapons from the Afghan territory or physically entered Pakistan.

Six Israeli soldiers die in Romania helicopter crash

BUCHAREST: Six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian were killed Monday when a military helicopter crashed in central Romania, local media said, quoting defence sources.

The defence ministry said six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian were on board but did not confirm their deaths.

“One Romanian and two Israeli helicopters are taking part in the search and rescue operation,” defence ministry spokesman Constantin Spanu said.

Several dozen soldiers were also searching the area, he added.

Witnesses quoted by Antena 3 television channel said they had seen three helicopters flying above the mountain region around the city of Brasov.

“Smoke was coming out of one of the helicopters which started losing altitude,” one of the witnesses was quoted as saying.

The helicopter was taking part in a joint mililtary drill, Blue Sky 2010.

On July 18, the defence ministry announced an Israeli CH-53 helicopter participating in this exercice had made a crash landing after “sensing a failure aboard.”

“Once the failure was fixed, the helicopter returned safely to the Boboc airbase,” the ministry said.

Initial media reports had said US military staff were on board the helicopter that crashed Monday.

Rescue operation begins in flood-hit Balcohistan

QUETTA: Rescue operation has begun in flood-hit districts Kohlu, Barkhan and Sibbi of Balochistan.

Four helicopter of Pakistan Army reached Kohlu and Sibbi with relief goods, medicines and doctors whereas PDMA also dispatched relief goods to the affected areas.

According to ISPR, four helicopters of army reached Kohlu and Sibbi with relief goods, doctors and medicines and started rescue operation. The 600 personnel of Pakistan army southern command evacuating trapped people to safer places through boats and helicopters as relief camps have been established for flood victims.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority(PDMA_ has sent 12 trucks in flood stricken areas of district Barkhan, Kohlu and Sibbi.

Director PDMA Balochistan Dr. Siddique Aftab told Geo News that more relief goods will be send to affected areas.

Pak Army commandos leave for China for weeklong drills

ISLAMABAD: A commando contingent of the Pak Army’s special force Thursday left for China from the PAF Base in Chaklala to participate in the third joint military and training exercises between the two countries.

The exercises, starting today, have been designed to benefit from the professional skills based on the mutual experiences of the two nations for anti-terrorism efforts.

According to a press release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the weeklong exercise will be conducted from July 1 to 7 at Qixtonxia, Yeuhuan, China.

Troops of the Special Services Group of both countries will participate in the drills.

It is aimed at practising counter terrorism mechanics and drills in mountains, while developing interpersonal rapport between participants of both sides.

Senior military leadership from both the countries will also attend the exercises.

Attabad: Heli service restricted as boat service resumes

HUNZA: Helicopter service for the affectees of upper Hunza Gojal has been limited today with the resumption of boat service in the area.

According to sources, the heli service was begun on January 4 after Attabad tragedy. Seven helicopters took part in the rescue activities launched for the affectees.

However, the boat service suspended on May 16 due to flood threat has been restored on June 29 and heli service has been restricted. Now two helicopters will carry out rescue activities.

On the other hand, affectees largely depend on private boats, as administration did not provide large boat for the transportation of affectees.

Meanwhile, the inflow in the lake is 14,820 cusecs and outflow is 16,603 cusecs that reduced lake level.

Bad weather hampers Hunza heli, boat service

HUNZA: Bad weather in Hunza will likely affect the helicopter and boat service, Geo News reported Wednesday.

On the other hand, affectees said government did not provide boats for the boat service started yesterday and majority of the boats owned local residents and traders using boats for goods transportation rather than passengers and therefore, affectees are facing problems.

The affectees demanded the government to provide large boats for their movement. Meanwhile, sporadic rain continued in Hunza since last night, which will likely suspend the helicopter service today. Three more houses in Galmat have been submerged after increment of two inches in the lake level.

Six NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan

KABUL: Six NATO soldiers were killed in three separate incidents Monday in southern Afghanistan, where the US-led alliance is mounting an ambitious campaign to flush out Taliban militants, the military said.

In the deadliest incident, three Australian commandos and a US soldier were killed when their helicopter crashed in the southern province of Kandahar, the single worst loss of life for the Australian military in the Afghan war.

Another two NATO troops were killed in separate bomb explosions but their nationalities have not been released. Britain also announced a grim toll of 300 dead in Afghanistan after one of its soldiers died from wounds suffered in an explosion earlier this month in the neighbouring southern province of Helmand.

The deaths brought to 281 the number of foreign soldiers killed in Afghanistan this year, according to a tally.

Four NATO servicemen die as Afghan Taliban down chopper

KABUL: At least four foreign service members of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan were killed on Wednesday when their helicopter was brought down by insurgent fire, the alliance said.

At least 17 foreign servicemen have been killed this week alone as the Taliban step up an insurgency they have waged since being overthrown in a U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Dawood Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand”s governor, said the chopper was hovering at low altitude, giving air support to ground troops, when it was hit by a rocket propelled grenade.

ISAF would only say the incident happened in southern Helmand province.

As standard practice, the names and nationalities of ISAF casualties are only released, by their home countries.

Over 1,800 foreign troops have died in Afghanistan since 2001. Scores more Afghan security forces, civilians and insurgents have been killed.

Phet roaring 200km from Karachi; more rains likely

KARACHI: The tropical cyclone that brewed at Arabian Sea, after wreaking havoc in Omani Sultanate, barreled towards Pakistani coastline and is still raging 200 kilometers away from Karachi, Geo News reported Sunday.

The cyclone Phet (a Thai word that means Diamond) is feared to hit District Thatta, Kati Bandar, Shahi Bandar, Bhimbhor, Jati, Mirpur Sakro.

Director General of Meteorological Department Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry told that the cyclone is present 200 kilometers from Karachi, adding it would smash into the Sindh coastal areas with a pace of 100 kilometers per hour.

Qamar said the cyclone would cause 3 to 5-meter high waves in Thatta’s coastal areas, while, 2 to 4-hour high waves were expected in Karachi’s coastal areas.

According to Met Department, more downpours are expected during the next 36 to 48 hours.

Cyclone will hit Sindh coastline of Bhimbhor and Kati Bandar, which will spawn lashing rains in Thatta, Hyderabad, Badin and Mirpur Khas.

Outflow from Lake equals inflow

HUNZA: The accident-accelerated lake in Ata Abad is receiving and discharging the same amount of water, which stalled the spread of water of the Lake in low-lying areas of Gojal tehsil, Geo News reported Sunday.

According to government sources, the inflow and outflow at the Lake is 4600 cusecs.

The Hunza-Gilgit section of Karakoram Highway which was closed owing to bad weather conditions, was kept open till 4pm yesterday.

Zonal Manager Utility Stores Corporation Majid Swati told that the edibles have been dispatched to the affected areas.

Meantime, social worker Abdus Sattar Eidhi is arriving in Gilgit with relief goods. DC Hunza Zafar Waqar Taj said the Lake situation was under control and hence, the spillway breakdown was out of question.

Meanwhile, helicopter service, which was suspended in Gilgit on bad weather for four days, has been resumed partially today.

The affected people staged a demonstration, alleging that the administration is providing the helicopter service only to their favourites and VIPs.

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