Afghanistan summons Pakistani envoy over cross-border shelling

Afghan foreign ministry alleges three civilians were killed in Pakistan's cross-border shelling

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan on Thursday summoned Pakistan's ambassador to the foreign ministry and lodged a protest over alleged cross-border shelling.

"Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai summoned Pakistan Ambassador Sayed Ibrar Hussain to lodge a protest and express concern of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in relation to the mortar and artillery shelling of Pakistani military forces over the Afghan territory along the Durand Line,” a statement issued by the Afghan foreign ministry said.

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Afghan deputy foreign minister alleged that Pakistani forces fired as many as 53 rounds of heavy weapons on Speen Zhay, Dwa Khula, Chunchro Tangai and Kamary Lakar areas of Nazyan District of Nangarhar Province, and Batash, Dolay Khor and Chogam areas of Naray and Sheigal Districts of Kunar Province in the last few days.

Three civilians, including a woman, were killed and two others were injured in the cross-border shelling by the Pakistani forces, he claimed.

“The continuity of such attacks is against the principles of good neighbourhood and international law and can significantly harm the friendly relations between the two nations,” the Afghan foreign ministry said.

Terming the attacks a “violation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan," Karzai called for a halt to these attacks immediately.

The minister added that such attacks not only cause financial and physical losses to the people of Afghanistan but also can affect the relations between the two neighbouring countries.

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The statement further read that the Pakistani envoy promised to convey the concerns to the authorities.