Pakistani Troops Fire on US Helicopters

Pakistani troops fired on two US helicopters crossing the border apparently to attack militants last night and drove them back into Afghanistan, Reuters reports. The aircraft crossed the border in the restive North Waziristan tribal region, according to Pakistani sources. US officials refused to confirm the report. Pakistani officials have condemned a recent series of assaults by US troop across the border without government permission.

Relations between the two allies suffered a major blow earlier this month when US commandos killed 20 people, including women and children, in a raid on a border village. Pakistanis were outraged and the government issued a diplomatic protest. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and President Bush are scheduled to meet tomorrow in the US. (More Pakistan stories.)