US military aircraft operations from Islamabad 'no secret': US embassy India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Responding to media reports in which questions were raised over the frequent arrival and take-off of heavy US cargo aircraft at Benazir International Airport (BIAI), the US Embassy has said that such operations were not secret. US Embassy spokesperson, Richard Snelsire disclosed that the Star Lifters of the US Air Force were being used to transport some military equipment from the US. Snelsire said both the political leadership and the military are aware of the issue. "Flying of American Star Lifters in and out of Benazir International Airport is not a top secret as they are being used for the transportation of military equipment from US to Islamabad only. The top leadership of the democratic government of Pakistan as well as its military high ups are well aware of this, so it is not an issue," The Nation quoted Snelsire, as saying. "Pakistan and the United States are important allies in war against terror. Pakistan Army is busy fighting the militants in areas bordering Afghanistan. In these circumstances we are equipping Pak Army with latest arms and ammunition that was being transported to Islamabad through these aircrafts," he added. The huge star lifters, used by the US Air Force and Army to transport troops and heavy loads, have been flying in and out of the BIAI on a regular basis over the past few days. Neither the CAA nor the Army has come out with any explanation regarding the operation of these US cargo aircraft.