FC soldier dies in cross-border attack

ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: Around 80 militants from Afghanistan crossed into Pakistan on Friday, killing a paramilitary soldier in an exchange of fire, military officials said here.

The incident took place in the Muslim Bagh sector of Balochistan near the Afghan border.

“Naik Niaz of the Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan was killed. The exchange of fire is still under way,” said a military official.

Earlier this month, rebels from Afghanistan stormed the house of a local anti-Taliban militia member in northwestern Upper Dir district, killing him and three members of his family.

Islamabad has blamed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Maulana Fazlullah for the attacks. He is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province.

Inspector General of the Frontier Corps Balochistan Mohammed Ijaz Shahid praised the soldiers for their timely action against miscreants. He described the incident as not a good omen for peace in either country and urged Kabul to take action against such cross-border incursions.

The incident happened a day after the prime minister’s adviser Sartaj Aziz informed Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai that Pakistan sincerely believes that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s best interest. Furthermore, the adviser emphasised that if Afghanistan has any evidence regarding Pakistan’s involvement in insurgent attacks, it should be shared with Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2014.