Islamabad, Pakistan (BBN) – The United States gave four cargo helicopters to Pakistan on Wednesday aiming to enhance the country’s capabilities in the ongoing operations against militants.

The four MI-17 cargo helicopters were handed over to Pakistan Army at the Charklala airbase, according to local media reports.

The additional helicopters are meant to enhance Pakistan’s capabilities in current operations against militant extremists, and its efforts to care for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis who have been displaced from their homes by the fighting.

The U.S. is in the process of identifying additional MI-17s that may be made available to Pakistan in the future, news report said.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-11June09-1:35 am (BST)