Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on Friday gave his troops a "fullfreedom" to answer any additional cross-border attacks on NATO forces in Afghanistan in an air strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, official sources said.
The powerful army chief told Commanders of units deployed along the western border with Afghanistan, they have "complete freedom of action in response (at) with the use of all possibilities" available to them, sources said.
Kayani said, according to sources, saying that there should be "no ambiguity in the rules of engagement for all down the chain of command" when they face an attack NATO forces.
Such action would "not require registration at any level," and the army will "provide resources as needed on the ground," he was quoted as saying.
After the air strike on Saturday at two military border post in Mohmand agency that killed 24 soldiers, Pakistan shut all supply routes to NATO and asked the U.S. to release Shamsi air base is reportedly used by the CIA controlled drones.
Pakistan also decided to boycott the Bonn conference on Afghanistan in protest against the attack.
According to sources Kayani described a NATO attack "a flagrant act of aggression," which was "unacceptable." Army chief said that he gave directions that "any act of aggression" would be answered with "full force and effect, regardless of the cost and consequences."
Although the answer praised his troops for the NATO air strikes, Kayani said the action would be more effective if the Pakistan Air Force joined in.
Nevertheless, it was "through no fault of EMS," that he could not take part in the rally and timely decision could not be accepted due to violations of communication and lack of clarity, Kayani was quoted sources.
