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Pakistan Condemns NATO Civilian Deaths


Pakistan is condemning the loss of civilian lives during a NATO attack on suspected Taleban militants along the border with Afghanistan.

Pakistani spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said Monday the NATO mission in Afghanistan must be more cautious before launching military operations near Pakistan's borders. She also said any military action taken inside Pakistan must only be conducted by Pakistani forces.

Nine civilians died when a rocket fired by NATO forces on Saturday hit a building in Pakistan's North Waziristan province. At the time, NATO says it was battling Taleban insurgents near the Afghan-Pakistan border.

The spokeswoman says Pakistan has issued a complaint with NATO.

Civilian deaths during NATO and U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan have prompted sharp criticism from Afghan officials, including President Hamid Karzai.

NATO officials have said they are reviewing their rules of engagement to limit civilian causalities but have also blamed Taleban militants for using civilians as human shields.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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