3 April, 2005	Sunday	23 Safar 1426

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MIRAMSHAH (North Waziristan), April 2: About 80 soldiers of the US and Afghan forces entered the Pakistani territory near Lawara Mandi border point and carried out patrolling up to two kilometres in the agency on Saturday.

The allied troops returned to their area of operation across the border after they were requested by the paramilitary forces to go back. The American soldiers said “sorry” to the Pakistan security forces when they were reminded that they had entered the Waziristan tribal agency.

Two helicopters were also witnessed to be providing air cover to the allied soldiers during their incursion into the Pakistan tribal territory.

According to reports, the US forces have recruited about five tribal Maliks, who have been asked to bring at least 1000 tribal youths for joining the allied forces.

The US forces have also offered attractive incentives to the new recruits.

Tribesmen have been asked to join the allied forces in return for special incentives, including education, power generators, tractors and other facilities.

Meanwhile, pamphlets and handbills were distributed in different areas of the agency, threatening the tribesmen with dire consequences in case they worked for the allied forces.

The tribesmen were also warned against supplying food items for the allied forces.

It is to be mentioned here that about 50 army trucks have reached the Lawara Mandi area to seal the border and keep watch on the cross-border movement.