Pakistan deplores cross-border assault

(CNN) - The Pakistani government on Wednesday called a deadly coalition-NATO cross-border assault from Afghanistan into Pakistan "unacceptable," and said it "constitutes a grave provocation."

"This helicopter-borne ground attack, supported by air assets based in Afghanistan, is gross violation of Pakistan's territory," the statement said. One local leader said at least 20 civilians were killed in the incident in northwestern Pakistan.

Pakistan described "cross-border use of force against civilians" as "counter-productive" and said the Foreign Ministry is issuing a "strong diplomatic protest."