Pakistan for more fixed-wing aircraft, chopper from US

Islamabad, July 24 (UNI) Pakistan has asked the United States to supply more modern helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to boost anti-terror and anti-narcotics operations along its border with Afghanistan and Iran, a media report said today.

''Pakistan has demanded additional helicopters equipped with bigger guns when Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao recently visited the United States for a meeting of a joint working group on efforts to counter terrorism and drug smuggling,'' The Daily Times quoted sources in the Interior Ministry as saying.

Sources said the Interior Minister told American officials at the meeting that his country was hoping to enhance the use of air assets in its operations along the border with Afghanistan and Iran.

''Pakistan needed both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters for reconnaissance and operations in the border areas,'' the sources quoted Mr Sherpao as saying.

The Interior Minister also said Pakistan would like ''bigger guns'' for the helicopters to make operations against well armed drug dealers in difficult terrain more effective,'' the sources added.

Ms Lisa Johnson, head of the narcotics affairs section of the US Embassy here, said an MoU on training the levies forces for Bajaur tribal agency was ready for the two sides.

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