IEA denies visas to Pakistan delegation thrice: Source

KABUL (Pajhwok): A reliable source says the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has rejected three separate requests for visas to a high-level Pakistani delegation led by the country’s defence minister over the past three days to visit Afghanistan.

The source told Pajhwok Afghan News that the delegation included Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director-General Muhammad Asim Malik and two other senior generals.

According to the source, the IEA turned down the delegation’s requests in response to Pakistan’s violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and bombing of public property in southeastern Paktika province.

Officials said Pakistan carried out airstrikes last Thursday night, targeting Marghi Bazaar in the Barmal district of Paktika province and also violated Kabul’s airspace.

On Saturday night, IEA border forces launched retaliatory attacks on Pakistan military posts along the Durand Line in Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost provinces, triggering fierce clashes.

kk/ma