Pakistan’s powerful Army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on Friday ordered his commanders to fire back if Nato forces violate “ground or air space” again, suspending the command chain to allow senior officers on the spot to act swiftly.
This change in the rules of engagement comes nearly a week after Saturday’s Nato strike in Mohmand Agency, killing 26 Pakistani soldiers, and could stoke fresh tensions with the US and Nato.
In a letter to military chiefs, Gen. Kayani said the Pakistan Air Force should have acted swiftly when Nato helicopters violated Pakistani airspace.
“I don’t want there to be any doubt in the minds of any commander at any level,” Gen. Kayani said in his communiqué. “In case of any attack, you have complete liberty to respond forcefully using all available resources. You don’t need any permission for this.”