KABUL: Afghanistan said on Sunday that it was pulling out of security talks scheduled to be held in Islamabad on June 4.

In a meeting presided over by President Hamid Karzai, the Afghan National Security Council “condemned” increasing numbers of alleged “rocket attacks (by the) Pakistani military against the country”, a statement from the presidential palace said.

It said the attacks were “aimed at disrupting the second round of presidential elections”, due to be held on June 14.

The council said it would “raise serious concerns” with Pakistan through the foreign ministry.

In protest, Afghan security officials will not participate in the regional security summit due to take place in Islamabad on June 4.

The council also took issue with a lack of reaction from the US, describing the silence as “a violation of (the) long-term strategic pact signed between the two countries”.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2014