Karzai says U.S. won't help Afghan defense

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KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai said the United States is not prepared to defend his country from cross-border shelling by neighboring Pakistan.

He confirmed at a press conference Thursday the Pakistani military was firing at Afghan settlements on the border between the two countries, what the Pakistani government claims is retaliation for anti-government insurgents launching attacks from Afghanistan, the Afghan website Khaama Press reported.

"The U.S. has clearly denied [defending] Afghanistan, and even their military officials deny the statistics provided by Afghan officials regarding the Pakistani shelling," Karzai said.

He added his country would not attempt to similarly launch attacks against Pakistan, saying, "We will never take such an action to attack villages and houses on the other side of the border. We believe [the residents] are like our own people."

Karzai also said the United States has not responded to his demand to equip Afghan forces with fighter and transport aircraft.

"Should Afghanistan take steps to purchase its required equipment from Russia, China, India or elsewhere?" he asked.