ISLAMABAD, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces took control of a strategically important airbase in the country's southwest Saturday evening after most of the U.S. military personnel have vacated the airfield, local media reported.
Pakistan had asked the U.S. to vacate Shamsi airbase in Balochistan province following NATO fighter jets and helicopters bombed two border posts on November 26 and killed 24 soldiers.
The U.S. had reportedly been using the airbase since late 2001 for military operations in Afghanistan and for drone strikes in Pakistan tribal regions, according to American and Pakistani media.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said last week that the United States has been asked to vacate the airbase by December 11.
Pakistan's Geo television reported that the Frontier Corps took control of the airbase from the U.S. soldiers late Saturday evening as most of the American personnel have left the airfield. "Only one American cargo plane is still parked at the airbase which will transfer the remaining personnel and equipment," Geo TV quoted sources as saying.
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