A Cambodian military officer on 23rd September has denied that Cambodian troops in Pailin have shot at a Thai helicopter which has strayed into Cambodian airspace on the night of 22nd.
A Cambodian officer for Military Region 5 told Deum Ampil by telephone that Cambodian troops did not fire at the Thai helicopter, but said that Cambodia will continue to positionn anti-aircraft artillery in the area.
Gen. Chea Dara, Commander-in-Chief of Cambodian Armed Forces in charge of the Preah Vihear operations, Gen. Neang Phat (pictured), Secretary of State of Defence Ministry and Gen. Chhum Socheat, Defence Ministry spokesman as well as Koy Kuong, Foreign Ministry spokesman, all denied any knowledge of the alleged shooting at a Thai helicopter by Cambodian troops in Pailin, but said they would check the information with officers on the ground first before making any comments.
There were reports that at 6 pm on 22nd September, a Thai helicopter had flown 6 kilometres high above Cambodian airspace in Pailin and Cambodian troops from Battalion 52 attached to Military Region 5 have fired 10 rounds of 23mm anti-aircraft artillery shells at the helicopter, causing it to fly back into Thai territory.
Sources said that the Thai helicopter had entered Cambodian airspace at Phnom Kbal Larn in Koh Kong province and had flown all the way to Pailin.
In the past, Prime Minister Hun Sen had strictly given order to border troops to shoot down any Thai aircrafts that enter Cambodian airspace without permission.
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