Arab News has a report that, if true, is sure to send shockwaves throughout Washington. According to an unconfirmed report at Arab News, Pakistan has deployed anti-aircraft missiles along the border with Afghanistan.
Pakistan has strengthened its air defense with a view to preventing NATO forces from intruding into its territory from Afghanistan.
The strong US ally has installed anti-aircraft missiles in its tribal regions bordering Afghanistan, well-placed sources told Arab News here on Monday.
“Now no helicopter will be able to escape after entering into Pakistani territory,” the official sources said.
Again, this report is unconfirmed. If true, the implications of this action are astounding. It would be difficult to argue against the notion that Pakistan is providing air defense for Taliban and Haqqani Network fighters crossing the border. And given the billions of US military aid given to Pakistan, the US would be funding the effort.
Also see: Pakistan’s leaders okay with unmanned airstrikes — but not manned ones.
Update:
The Arab News report above appears tobe based on this Oct. 3 report at SAMAA, which actually identifies the person quoted:
Pakistan has installed a missile defense system along the Pak-Afghan border to stop cross-border incursions in the country’s tribal areas.
This was revealed by MNA [Member of National Assembly] Munir Orakzai while speaking on SAMAA’s program, ‘Mohaaz’ (to be aired on Saturday morning at 11:30 am).
Orakzai said that additional troops would be deployed to monitor the newly installed defense system.
“Now no helicopter will be able to escape after entering Pakistani territory,” he claimed.
