Rocket attack on US copter denied
DM Monitoring

RAWALPINDI—A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter delivering relief aide flying in the vicinity Chakothi near Line of Control returned to Chaklala Airbase after hearing a blast on Tuesday afternoon. The incident resulted in suspension of aide to affected area, however Pak Army has termed this incident as mere misunderstanding.
ISPR Director General Major General Shaukat Sultan told a private TV channel that US CH-47 Chinook helicopter misunderstood a blast, which pilot hear because Army Engineers were opening blocked roads.
The US CH-47 Chinook helicopter pilot misunderstood and felt that a rocket had been fired upon the helicopter, Sultan said.
A complete investigation has been made no body attacked US helicopter, Sultan added.
However, according to US embassy statement, US CH-47 Chinook helicopter flying in the vicinity of Chakothi sector delivering relief aide to earthquake victims is believed to have been fired upon by a Rocket Propelled Grenade Tuesday around 1:45 pm. The aircraft was not hit and returned safely with its crew without further incident to Chaklala Airbase around 2:30 pm.
On the other hand ISPR Spokesman maj Gen Shaukat Sultan has made it clear that no such incident had happened and US troops are taking part in the relief activities as usual.
Agencies add: A US Army helicopter delivering aid in earthquake-stricken Pakistan apparently came under fire, the U.S. military said on Tuesday. But Pakistan said the blast heard by the pilot was caused by dynamite.
US Central Command said in a statement the CH-47 Chinook helicopter was not hit and returned safely with its crew to Chaklala air base. The statement said the aircraft “is believed to have been fired upon by a rocket-propelled grenade,” but did not identify who fired the weapon.
The helicopter was among two dozen sent by the United States after last month’s devastating earthquake killed more than 50,000 people in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province and divided Kashmir. More than 800 US military personnel are helping in the relief operations, the Pentagon said.
The Central Command statement said the incident occurred near Chakothi and was under investigation.