ISLAMABAD: The United States is providing five latest helicopters, three reconnaissance aircraft with latest spying system and $10 million to curb terrorism and eliminate slippage of terrorists into Pakistan from Afghanistan. “Five US helicopters would be handed over to Pakistan on July 2. A special cell has already been formed to have better coordination in operations against terrorists as well as to effectively curb the slippage from Afghanistan to Pakistan,” Interior Minister Lt-Gen (retd) Moinuddin Haider revealed to NNI here on Friday.
The minister said that the special cell, being created in the ministry, would be headed by a Pakistan Army brigadier of Civil Aviation to work round the clock. He said that the US would also provide three reconnaissance aircraft and $10 million to Pakistan soon. Moin said that the operation against al-Qaeda elements in Waziristan Agencies would continue with full zeal and zest. He said that the al-Qaeda fugitives were believed to have taken shelter in the houses of those Pakistanis who joined the Taliban against Northern Alliance in Afghanistan.
“They are especially hiding in the houses of these Pakistanis who reside in the tribal areas; we are following them and would never leave even a single such activist,” he said. About the killing of 10 Pakistan troops in an operation against Chechen activists at Kazapunga, Wana in South Waziristan, he said: “Despite less modern facilities and techniques, the courage and dedication demonstrated by the Pakistani soldiers is a reflection of the government efforts to uproot terrorists from the country.” Al-Qaeda seemed a highly-organised network and latest technology was required to eliminate them, he added.
The interior minister said of the $10 million expected to be received soon, $1 million would be provided to each of the Balochistan and NWFP government in order to further equip paramilitary forces on Pak-Afghan border. A major portion of the remaining amount would used to modernise police and establish latest laboratories and finger print investigative units in the country. “The substantial assistance of the US in terms of latest equipment and otherwise would enable Pakistan to eliminate terrorists hiding in the Pakistani territory,” he said in reply to a question.
He said that at 18 points of entry into Pakistan – including naval, air and land – the latest computerised system would be introduced in order to record every entry in the country. “This system has already been introduced in Karachi while in rest of the country, including Peshawar and Quetta, the system would be introduced by March,” he said.
I think the helicopters Pak is purchasing is similar to the one shown on http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/mh-53j-dfst8909541.jpg , althought I am not sure.
[This message has been edited by ukhalil11 (edited June 30, 2002).]