Cross-border attack injures 2 Pakistani soldiers in Angoor Adda

Afghanistan claims their policeman was killed after intervening to prevent an illegal construction by Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: At least two Pakistani security personnel were injured when the Angoor Adda gate on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border came under attack from the other side.

According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the gate was attacked using an RPG-7 (Rocket Propelled Grenade) and small arms fire from the Afghan side. However, it was not immediately clear who had mounted the attack.

“Pakistani troops responded and targeted positions from where fire was coming,” the military’s media wing said.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Seddiq Siddiqi told media in Kabul that the clashes occurred late Tuesday at Bermal border region of Paktika.

He alleged that Pakistani forces had been involved in “construction inside the Afghan territory.”

"Afghan border police intervened and exchanged fire. As a result, one Afghan border policeman was killed," he claimed, adding that eight Pakistanis were also killed in the exchange of fire.

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The incident suggests a sign of tensions between the two neighbours after Afghan intelligence agency recently accused the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for being behind the attack on the Afghan Parliament.

Pakistan, though, dismissed the allegations as baseless and termed it as an attempt by certain elements, who did not want to see enhanced cooperation between Islamabad and Kabul.

Relations between the two countries have improved considerable since Ashraf Ghani was elected as the Afghan president. But the Afghan administration is apparently upset over the lack of progress in the reconciliation process.

Read: Pakistani soldier killed in Bajaur: ISPR

Reports suggested Ghani wrote a letter to Pakistani leadership calling for tough action against Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network. Islamabad claimed it was taking action against all militant groups, without discrimination.

Pakistan also publicly warned Afghan Taliban to renounce violence and urged them to recognise the Ghani administration.

A security official said India was attempting to sow the ‘seeds of discord’ between the two neighbours after improvement in their relationship.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan need to deal with the issue maturely,” emphasised the security official who insisted that India was playing a role of ‘spoiler.’

British envoy meets defence minister

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Philip Barton praised Pakistan Army for conducting a successful operation Zarb-e-Azb, which according to him, significantly contributed towards improving the security situation of the country.



PHOTO: ONLINE

Read: Operation Zarb-e-Azb: Army gearing up for final push in Shawal Valley

The British envoy made these remarks during a meeting with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday.

A defence ministry statement said Barton discussed both issues of water and power and defence during the meeting.

He expressed concern over the loss of lives due to heat wave in Karachi. Steps taken to improve the energy situation of the country were shared.

The meeting also discussed development on the existing defence forums between Pakistan and Britain.