Afghan Envoy summoned in FO to lodge protest over rocket attack
Rocket attack at a Pakistan Army post from Afghanistan, western border in Khyber Agency, killed four soldiers and injured four others, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Sunday.
“According to reports, rounds fired from Afghanistan side opposite Khyber Agency by terrorists hit a 8,000 feet high Pakistani post in AkhandwalaPass,” the statement said, adding, “Pakistani troops befittingly responded and eliminated the group of terrorists.”
This is not the first time that a cross border attack has happened on Pak-Afghan border.
Following the attack, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai was called in Islamabad’s Foreign Office where Pakistan’s strong protest was conveyed to him. Pakistan demanded of the Kabul to take measures on war-footing to put a curb on such cross-border attacks.
“The Afghan Envoy was asked to urge his government to investigate the incident and share the result of the inquiry with the government of Pakistan. Such incidents do not augur well for the positive trajectory of relations the two sides have been able to achieve after sustained efforts,” the statement said.
“Pakistan fully condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations and is willing to collaborate with Afghanistan to fight the common enemy. The attacks against our military personnel are unacceptable,” the Foreign Office categorically said.
The ambassador was also requested to urge his government to ensure the safety and security of our personnel at the embassy and consulates and Pakistani diaspora in Afghanistan.
The Afghan ambassador said that he would convey the message to the concerned authorities and look into this. He expressed his condolences on killing of Pakistani soldiers. He assured that Afghanistan attaches great importance to the security of Pakistani personnel and instructions in this regard had already been issued by the government of Afghanistan to enhance their security.
The attack comes at a time when relations between Islamabad and Kabul have started deteriorating in the wake of a surge in Taliban attacks inside Afghanistan and statements of the Afghan leadership against Pakistan.
