NATO Expands The Afghan War Into Pakistan

Isaf confirmed that the helicopters struck at the Haqqani Network fighters in Pakistan on Sunday. Photo by REUTERS

NATO Carries Out Air Strikes Inside Pakistan -- New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — NATO forces in Afghanistan launched two airstrikes against Taliban insurgents on the Pakistani side of the border, killing more than 30 people, military spokesmen confirmed on Monday.

The airstrikes, which took place last Friday and Saturday, were unusual because they involved piloted aircraft rather than drones, which are more commonly used to attack insurgents on the Pakistani side of the border, and which are normally operated by the Central Intelligence Agency.

Read more ....

More News On NATO Expanding The War Into Pakistan

Nato helicopters kill 'dozens of rebels' in Pakistan -- BBC
'Self-defense': NATO choppers strike Pakistan -- MSNBC
NATO Conducts Rare Cross-border Strike Against Insurgents in Pakistan -- Voice of America
NATO helicopters cross into Pakistan chasing insurgents -- CNN
53 killed as US and NATO helicopters strike in Pakistan -- IBN Live
Nato strikes kill 50 in Pakistan -- Press Association
Nato forces kill 30 insurgents in rare Pakistan raid -- The Telegraph
US copters kill 30 inside Pakistan -- DAWN

My Comment: The rules of engagement for NATO forces in Afghanistan are very clear cut. For their helicopters gunships be given permission to cross the border and wipe out this grouping of Taliban fighters tells me that NATO had an opportunity to 'take out' a significant force .... and they took it. It also tells me that NATO is now giving a signal to the Taliban and Pakistan that respect for the boundaries between Afghanistan and Pakistan may not be followed if NATO forces find themselves in hot pursuit of Taliban fighters.

Is this a major escalation in the war .... definitely. But considering how intense the fighting has become in Afghanistan .... NATO's choices are now limited. My concern is that hot pursuit will become standard for NATO forces in Afghanistan ..... and if this becomes the case I am sure that it will be inevitable that skirmishes with Pakistani forces will be the end result.