Pakistan protests Afghan cross-border attack

Islamabad, July 12 (IANS) Pakistan Saturday lodged a formal protest with Afghanistan over a cross-border attack that killed three of its security personnel, officials said.

Officials initially said that suspected militants crossed into Pakistan's Bajaur tribal region from Afghanistan and attacked a security forces' vehicle at a check-post and killed three soldiers, Xinhua reported.

They said a group of militants entered Pakistani territory from Afghanistan's Kunar province and attacked the border post in Ghakhai Pass area.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a Bajaur Scouts vehicle at Ghakki Pass in Bajaur Agency, launched from across the border in Afghanistan. An officer and two soldiers embraced 'shahaadat' (martyrdom) in the attack, while two soldiers were critically injured," Xinhua quoted a foreign ministry statement as saying.

The statement said a strong protest was lodged with the Afghan mission in Islamabad.

"It has been reiterated that Afghanistan should eliminate terrorist sanctuaries and not allow its territory to be used against Pakistan," the statement added.

The Pakistani foreign ministry said that at a time when a "monumental effort" was underway through a major offensive to eliminate terrorists and their hideouts in North Waziristan tribal region, Afghanistan's cooperation remains essential to the success of counter-terrorism endeavours.

Pakistani forces launched a major operation June 15 against foreign and local armed groups and the military has requested the Afghan government to boost security along the border to stop militants from crossing the border.