From DPA, Jan. 9, via United Arab Emirates' Khaleej Times:

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Monday said it has launched a strong protest with the Afghan-based Coalition Forces over weekend firing from across the border that killed eight people in the country's North Waziristan tribal region.

"We have protested with the Coalition Forces as they are responsible for security on the other side of the (Pakistan-Afghan) border," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told reporters in Islamabad.

Reports on Saturday said a residential compound of a local cleric was attacked by US helicopters in the Saidgi area near the Pakistan-Afghan border, killing eight people including children and women.

Aslam, however, said that the Americans have denied their involvement in the attack.

"We have initiated an inquiry. We know fire came from across the border that killed eight people butwe don�t know who are involved," she added.

Pakistan was also investigating reports that a US helicopter landed on the Pakistani side of the border in North Waziristan and then took off.

Without giving details, Aslam said the local people informed officials about the incident. She denied reports that the chopper returned after picking up some Pakistani tribesmen. "This is not our information," she added.

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