KABUL (Pajhwok): Both sides suffered casualties as Afghan and Pakistani forces clashed near the Durand Line over construction of a new post by the Pakistanis, an official said on Wednesday.
Pakistani forces against the rules attempted to set up a post near the Durand Line yesterday and opened fire on Afghan forces who wanted to talk over the issue and both sides suffered casualties in the exchange of fire.
Earlier, the Pakistani military said three Pakistani soldiers were killed in an attack by terrorists in Kurram district of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The terrorists from the Afghan side of the border opened fire on troops in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army’s media wing.
The statement said that the Pakistani troops responded in a befitting manner and three soldiers were killed during an exchange of fire. Terrorists also suffered heavy casualties in retaliatory fire, it said.
Pakistan strongly condemned the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities, the statement said. The Pakistani army is determined to defend Pakistan’s borders against the menace of terrorism, the military added.
Bilal Karimi, Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said the clash took place in Muqbil area of Dand Patan district of southeastern Paktia province.
He said according to principles, security posts and military installations could not be made near the Durand Line. But yesterday Pakistani forces tried to establish a post very close to the line.
He said when some Afghan forces wanted to talk with the Pakistanis on the matter, the Pakistanis opened fire at them, causing casualties. Both sides suffered casualties in the exchange of fire, he added.
“In general, the matter is being investigated and the leaders have been informed to prevent construction of facilities near the Durand Line and the occurrence of such incidents in the future.”
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