Cross-border skirmishes: Boy injured in missile attack from Afghanistan

Both sides regularly trade diplomatic barbs, accusing each other of border violations

KHAR: In the latest episode of cross-border skirmishes, two missiles fired from the Afghan side of the border injured a boy in Bajaur agency, political administration officials in the area confirmed.

Officials said missiles hit Lagharrai village in Bajaur agency during the early hours of Sunday morning, as a result 10-year-old Yaseen sustained serious injuries.

The boy was shifted to Agency Headquarters (AHQ) Hospital Khar for medical treatment. According to hospital officials he is in critical condition.

Bajaur Agency, one of the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan’s Kunar province, regularly comes under attack from militant sanctuaries on the Afghan side of the border.

In recent months, cross border attacks have led to significant tension, threatening a fragile thaw between the long-wary neighbours. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan regularly trade diplomatic barbs, accusing each other of cross-frontier assaults.

Islamabad has accused the government in Kabul of not doing enough to eliminate militants in Kunar province.  Despite concern voiced by the foreign office over repeated incidents of border violations, such incidents continue unabated.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2014.