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US to supply laser-guided bombs to Pakistan: official

03 March 2010 05:00 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. The US Air Force plans to deliver 1,000 laser-guided bomb kits to Pakistan this month to help Islamabad in its offensive against militants on the Afghan border, a spokesman said on Tuesday, APA reports citing AFP.

The Air Force is providing the kits after having delivered 1,000 MK-82 bombs last month to Pakistan’s military, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffry Glenn told AFP.

The US military assistance underscored Washington’s role in backing Pakistan’s months-long campaign against Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants.

The Pakistani air force was playing "a big part" in operations against the Islamist extremists, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said.

"As they had ramped up operations, they’re looking for ways to get additional capability," he told a gathering of defense reporters.

Pakistan’s air force chief had visited Washington last year and made additional requests for US military assistance, he said.

Donley said the Pentagon had arranged for "expedited" delivery of the MK-82 bombs, which weigh 500 pounds each.

The United States also was due to deliver 18 additional F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan in June, outfitted with sophisticated night-vision equipment, Glenn said.

Confirmation of the arms deal came as Pakistan on Tuesday revealed a vast Taliban and Al-Qaeda hideout dug into mountains near the Afghan border, captured in an offensive against militants.

Pakistan seized the complex in its latest offensive against militants in its semi-autonomous tribal belt, following US pressure on the country to eliminate Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked groups who attack Western troops in Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama’s administration has pledged stepped up military assistance and development aid to Pakistan, which Washington sees as a vital ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants.