Pakistan lashed out at Afghanistan for failing to prevent cross-border militant attacks in Dir district in which scores of Pakistani soldiers were killed, including seven who were beheaded by militants on Monday.
Pakistani authorities also raised the recent cross-border attacks in Dir with the US and NATO officials across the border in Afghanistan, cautioning them that the continuation of these assaults by the Taliban from Afghan soil would have negative impact on the ongoing efforts by Islamabad and Washington to repair the damaged and strained relations.
According to diplomatic sources said, Pakistani authorities warned the Afghan government that in case there were no halt to cross border militant attacks then Pakistan would be left with no other option but to go for ‘hot pursuit’ of Taliban militants.
“Pakistani authorities respect the sovereignty of Afghanistan but it is also extremely perturbed over the killing of its soldiers in these cross border attacks and it has the right to use all options to protect its sovereignty including the hot pursuit of militants,” said a source, requesting anonymity.
The Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said a strong protest was lodged with the Afghan government with a demand of all possible measures to stop the militants’ attacks in its border areas.
“The Afghan deputy head of mission was called to the Foreign Office and a strong protest was launched on the intrusion of militants from the Afghan side into Pakistani territory,” said Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan.
On Sunday night, about 100 militants from across the border entered Dir and clashed with a Pakistani security force patrolling party. In the exchange of fire, 11 militants were killed, six security personnel lost their life, while 11 soldiers went missing.
The militants beheaded seven of the missing soldiers on Monday.
“The Afghan diplomat was informed that the government of Afghanistan should take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the future,” Khan said.
Pakistani authorities believe that Maulvi Fazlullah led Swat Taliban, who fled to Afghanistan after being defeated in Swat, are responsible for the spate of border attacks on Pakistani posts.
The militants also fired two rockets from across the border on Sunday followed by sniper fire into Pakistani territory in Tripaman heights, Lower Dir, according to a military official.
He also confirmed the Sunday night attack, saying more than 100 miscreants from safe havens from across the border intruded into Pakistani territory and had a clash with Pakistani patrolling party.
“Reportedly, Pakistani troops killed 14 miscreants. In the encounter six soldiers embraced shahadat while 11 soldiers went missing. Out of whom, 7 soldiers have been reportedly killed and then beheaded,” he said.
Pakistan says won’t tolerate intrusions
