ISLAMABAD, 2 November 2005 — A US Chinook military helicopter taking part in the relief operations in the earthquake-affected areas of Kashmir was reportedly fired upon by a rocket yesterday, US military authorities reported.
Pakistan military authorities have denied the report explaining that it was a dynamite blast in the Chakothi area and the US pilot mistook it for a rocket, said Pakistan military spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan.
The incident took place a day after President Gen. Pervez Musharraf praised the US and NATO forces for taking part in the relief operations in the quake-affected areas. He thanked US and NATO forces for taking part in the relief operations and the tremendous contribution they were making.
“A United States Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter flying in the vicinity of Chakothi delivering relief aid to earthquake victims is believed to have been fired upon by a rocket propelled grenade today around 1:45 p.m.,” said the statement issued by US public affairs department.
The US statement said the aircraft was not hit and returned safely with its crew without further incident to Chaklala Air Base around 2:30 p.m. Two US helicopters flying over Chakothi district near the Line of Control (LOC) flew back to Islamabad military base after they heard blasts and reported that they have been fired upon.
Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said that army authorities have investigated the matter and reached the conclusion that no rocket was fired on the US helicopter.
Commander Nick Balice, public affairs officer of the US contingent, said: “Based on what the helicopter crew has told us, the signs are that it was a rocket propelled grenade.”
He said that they are in contact with Pakistan government and military on this issue. “Both the US military and the government of Pakistan are investigating this incident,” said Commander Balice.
The incident gave rise to the fear that US helicopters might abandon their relief operations in the area. Around 12 US helicopters are taking part in the relief operations in Azad Kashmir and northern parts of Pakistan.
Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said all the civilians and army personnel present on the ground have been interviewed by the army authorities. “All of them have denied the report,” said the military spokesman.
He confirmed that there was a dynamite blasting taking place in the area to clear the roads.
“The army engineers were carrying out dynamite blasting in the area and upon hearing these blasts the American helicopter mistook it for a rocket propelled grenade and returned to the base,” the military spokesman said.
He said that Pakistani military authorities had a meeting with the US military officials yesterday evening and informed them of the army’s conclusions on the matter and said that the US helicopters would continue to take part in the relief operations.
