BRUSSELS, Oct 12: Nato on Wednesday ruled out moving its troops or helicopters from Afghanistan to help in the rescue operations in Pakistan but said its aircraft would continue to ferry relief supplies from Europe to Islamabad.

Officials said the first Nato aircraft would reach Pakistan on Thursday as part of a strategic airlift operation to move urgently required humanitarian aid to the country. The operation could be followed by further actions, the organization said, adding that heavy-duty helicopters could be sent by sea from Europe if required.

A five-member team of experts is board the Nato airplane to assess the emergency requirements.

The Nato-led stabilization force in Afghanistan was stretched to its limit and assets and soldiers were still needed on the ground in the country in a difficult post-election period, said an official of the organization.

However, member states could send troops and helicopters under their national command in Afghanistan, the official said.