MIRAMSHAH, May 8: Coalition troops in Afghanistan backed by armed personnel carriers and helicopters intruded in Pakistani territory of North Waziristan region on Friday evening, officials and eyewitnesses said here on Saturday.

It was the third time in the last two weeks that the US-led coalition forces crossed into the borderland of the tribal region.

Director-General of Inter Services Public Relations, Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan when approached confirmed that coalition troops in three vehicles had entered tribal area, but, he added that it could not be considered intrusion in Pakistani territory.

He asserted that the US-led coalition forces entered the area after some miscreants opened fire on them inside Afghanistan. "They approached the nearby checkpoint of the Frontier Corps and lodged a complaint that some armed men from the Pakistani side opened fire," he added.

Mr Sultan said that the coalition forces went back to Afghanistan after the border security forces explained the position. However, he did not confirm whether someone fired on the US troops from the border region.

Officials here confirmed the incursion of the coalition troops in Lawara Mandi along the Afghan border at about 7:30pm on Friday.

According to the witnesses, the coalitiontroops remained in Pakistani territory for about 45 minutes and lodged strong complaint with the FC officials.

"The Americans were insisting that they came under fire from the Pakistani side," a local trader in Lawara Mandi said.

The constant intrusion by the coalition forces caused panic among the local tribesmen as they came along with APCs and helicopters, he maintained.

AFP adds: US authorities said the crossing occurred amid an ongoing operation by their forces on the Afghan side of the border as they hunt for Taliban and Al Qaeda militants.