Afghanistan mulls retaliation to cross-border attacks

Afghan foreign ministry says 3,000 Pakistanis fleeing the fighting in North Waziristan have sought refuge in Khost.

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan on Monday said it was mulling a response to an alleged cross-border attack by Pakistani forces in which three soldiers and eight civilians were killed. 

The allegations came at a time when Pakistan seeks Afghanistan's help to enhance border security to stop fleeing militants from entering the Afghan side of the border.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sent his special envoy to Kabul last week who met President Hamid Karzai and sought cooperation to make the North Waziristan military push successful.

Karzai decided to send his national security adviser for follow up discussions with the Pakistani leaders to put in place a road-map for future cooperation.

The Afghan foreign ministry claimed on Monday that at least three Afghan national army (ANA) soldiers were killed in a “recent attack by Pakistani forces” in Kunar province.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Ahmad Shakib Mustaghni, during his weekly briefing alleged that the “Pakistani forces, wearing civilian clothes, carried out the attack” in Dangam district two days ago.

“The Pakistani forces entered Dangam district in civilian clothes and carried out attack on Afghan national army soldiers,” Mustaghni said, according to record available to The Express Tribune. He said locals rushed to the border area to assist the Afghan soldiers.

The spokesperson strongly condemned what he called “unforgivable attack” as a blatant aggression against Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and warned of reprisal attacks.

“Afghanistan is pondering a response to Pakistani incursions,” Mustaghni said. “Afghanistan Security forces are capable of defending the country and could avenge Pakistani attacks.”

“We will not remain silent spectators to Pakistani attacks and will give a befitting response to Pakistani attacks at appropriate time,” he went on to say.

The foreign ministry’s remarks came a day after Afghanistan’s National Security Council, met under President Karzai, and assigned the security forces to stop the cross-border attacks by enhancing coordination.

Afghan Defence Minister, Besmillah Muhammadi expressed concerns at the attacks and briefed the council about the incidents.

A statement from Karzai’s office quoted the defence minister as alleging that Pakistani forces are “using heavy and latest weapons” and that Afghan troops will have to stop these attacks.

He also claimed that “Pakistani forces have also increased attacks in Helmand and Nangarahr provinces." He said President Karzai has instructed the security forces to prepare for responding to Pakistani attacks.

Refugees

The Afghan foreign ministry said that 3,000 Pakistani refugee families have arrived from North Waziristan in Khost province.

Mustaghni said there might be possibility of terrorists arriving with the IDPs and that the security forces are investigating the possibility.