Pakistani troops fire at Nato copters after airspace breach

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani ground troops opened fire on two Nato helicopters that crossed into Pakistan's airspace from Afghanistan early on Tuesday, the Pakistani army said in a statement. A firefight then briefly erupted between Nato forces and the troops, the statement said, and two Pakistani soldiers were wounded.

The clash took place at Admi Kot Post in the North Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan, an area that American officials have long regarded as a haven used by militants to attack coalition forces inside Afghanistan. Nato officials said they were looking into the incident, and could not immediately confirm whether the helicopters had indeed entered Pakistan's airspace.

The exchange of fire between Nato and Pakistani forces appeared likely to worsen frictions between Pakistan and the US. The Pakistani army "lodged a strong protest and demanded a flag meeting," the statement said, referring to a meeting between officials from Pakistan and Nato.