U.S. donates military vehicles to Pakistan
March. 2, 2010
WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- Washington announced it was donating eight armored personnel carriers to the Pakistani military fighting in the volatile tribal regions along the Afghan border.
Washington, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement of the Department of State, said it donated eight personnel carriers and surveillance equipment to Pakistani military forces fighting in the North-West Frontier province.
"These vehicles and surveillance equipment will support the NWFP elite force professionals who are on the front lines in the fight against extremism," the U.S. State Department said in its announcement of the transfer.
Washington included Pakistani security in its revised war plan for Afghanistan unveiled by U.S. President Barack Obama in December.
Pakistan in October launched an independent offensive along the border region to take on members of the Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaida.
Islamabad pressed Washington for more collaboration on military activity in the region, saying intelligence sharing was vital. Allaying concerns over U.S. airstrikes in the region, Washington in January agreed to provide Pakistan with RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial surveillance vehicles.
The State Department in its announcement of the armored carrier transfer said U.S. law enforcement assistance to Pakistan topped $49 million in 2009.