LANDI KOTAL/ISLAMA­BAD: The Foreign Office summoned Afghan Ambassador Janan Mosazai on Sunday and a protest was lodged over the death of four soldiers in a mortar attack from across the border on a security post in Tirah valley of the Khyber tribal region.

At least four soldiers were killed and four others injured in the attack on their post by militants from across the Afghan border.

According to a statement issued by the military, rockets were fired at the Akhund Walah Pass checkpost, located at a height of about 8,000 feet in the mountainous valley, and all the attackers were killed when troops returned fire.

According to an announcement by the foreign ministry, the government lodged a “strong protest against the mortar shelling from Afghanistan in Khyber Agency this morning at around 0900 hrs, as a result of which four Pakistani soldiers embraced Shahadat and four others were critically injured”.

The Afghan envoy was asked to urge his government to investigate the incident and share the results of the inquiry with Pakistan.

“Such incidents do not augur well for the positive trajectory of relations the two sides have been able to achieve after sustained efforts,” the statement said.

“Pakistan fully condemns terrorism in all forms and manifestations and is willing to collaborate with Afghanistan to fight the common enemy. However, the attacks against our military personnel are unacceptable,” it said.

The Afghan ambassador said he would convey the message to the authorities concerned and look into the matter. He expressed condolences on the killing of Pakistani soldiers.

The ambassador was also requested to urge his government to ensure the safety and security of Pakistanis in Afghanistan, including personnel at the country’s embassy and consulates.

The ambassador said Afghanistan attached great importance to the security of Pakistani personnel and instructions in this regard had already been issued by the government to enhance their security.

Meanwhile, Khasadar personnel found the bullet-riddled body of a man in a dry stream near Prang Sam post early in the morning. The victim had been shot from a close range, officials said.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2015

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