Peshawar, Jan 02: United States today donated almost 400 vehicles and 750 telescopes worth $ 13.25 million to Pakistani troops deployed along the border with Afghanistan to
hunt al-Qaeda fugitives, officials said.
US ambassador to Pakistan Nancy Powell praised Islamabad's role in the ongoing war on terrorism during an address at the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters
in Peshawar, capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
"We are giving this equipment to the frontier corps to increase its efficiency," she said.
"This is necessary for the safety of Pakistani and the US nationals residing over here."
The package includes 399 vehicles and around 750 long and short-range telescopes for thousands of troops patrolling the porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The US has pledged a security assistance package worth $ 73 million to Pakistan since it became a frontline ally of Washington in the aftermath of September 11 terror
attacks on the US.
Pakistan has deployed up to 70,000 troops along its western border to hunt down al-Qaeda and Taliban fugitives moving into its Taliban-sympathetic tribal belt.
Bureau Report
