WORLD> Asia-Pacific
Pakistani air force holds exercise: State airline
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-23 07:46

The Pakistani air force conducted an exercise Monday causing delay to two civilian flights, an airline official said, as tension with old rival India simmered over last month's attacks in Mumbai.

"Two of our flights were delayed for some time because the PAF was conducting some exercises but now everything is back on normal," said Muhammad Latif, a spokesman for Pakistan International Airlines, referring to the air force (PAF).

The flights were delayed at the airport in the eastern city of Lahore, near the Indian border, Latif said, while dismissing television news channel reports of a high alert at Pakistani airports.

An air force spokesman declined to comment when asked about an exercise saying only: "In view of the current environment, the PAF has enhanced its vigilance."

Pakistan last week summoned a senior Indian diplomat in Islamabad to protest against recent alleged airspace violations by Indian warplanes.

Indian fighter jets had crossed into Pakistani airspace over Kashmir and Punjab province, the government said on Dec 13.

Pakistan said its own fighter jets were scrambled to chase off the intruders, but it also played down the incident by describing the violations as "technical" and "inadvertent".

India denied any violation of Pakistani airspace.

Suspected US drones kill 7

Suspected US drones fired at least two missiles into Pakistan's South Waziristan region on the Afghan border yesterday, killing seven people, intelligence agency officials and residents said.

US forces in Afghanistan, frustrated by a spreading Taliban insurgency that is getting support from militant enclaves in northwest Pakistan, have stepped up strikes by pilotless drones despite Pakistani objections.

One missile hit a vehicle in a village near Wana, the main town in the region, killing four people, while three were killed in another strike in a nearby village, two Pakistani intelligence agency officials said.

"Tribesmen opened fire on the drones after the attacks," a Wana resident said by telephone.

The vehicle targeted in one attack was fitted with an anti-aircraft gun and the militants fired shots at the drone before the missile hit it, one of the intelligence officials said.

The identity of the militants killed was still being determined but most appeared to be Pakistanis, he said.

A third intelligence official said a third missile was also fired but caused no casualties or damage.

South Waziristan is a known Al-Qaeda and Taliban stronghold.

US forces have carried out nearly 30 air strikes in Pakistan this year, according to a count, more than half since the beginning of September.

The attacks have killed more than 220 people, including foreign militants, according to a tally of reports from Pakistani intelligence agents, district government officials and residents.