News Detail
Afghans to respond cross-border attacks: NDS
KABUL CITY: The National Directorate of Security, the spy service, on Monday warned Pakistan of “rapid and joint response” by people and government of Afghanistan to cross-border attacks that hit Afghan villages in the border region.
Over the past two months, the Pakistani army has been firing missiles into border districts in eastern Kunar province. As a result, hundreds of families have been displaced, a forest of pine trees torched and local residents suffered casualties.
The incursions have increased after 17 Pakistan soldiers were killed by armed militants who had allegedly crossed the border into the Dir district from Kunar. But Afghan officials reject the claim as baseless.
Kabul threatened to report Islamabad to the UN Security Council over what it alleged shelling of villages, while Islamabad said it would protest formally to Kabul against the latest incursion.
In Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt, security officials said two tribesmen were killed in Upper Kurram district in clashes with 60 Afghan army soldiers.
“The attacks have caused serious humanitarian crisis in our border areas,” deputy NDS spokesman Shafiqullah Tahiri told a press conference in Kabul.
The government and people of Afghanistan would jointly respond to the attacks if continued, he warned, accusing Pakistan of trying to control Afghan villages in Kunar and Nuristan to settle extremists and terrorists there.
Hundreds of Taliban, including Pakistani Taliban, attacked two villages in Kamesh district of Nuristan three days ago. Dozens of attackers were killed in clashes with security forces. Local officials said the Taliban set fire to houses in the Paprok village.
“Pakistan is planning to support and strengthen Taliban and other militant groups in Afghanistan as NATO forces prepare to leave the country,” Tahiri said.
He said the Taliban would to continue their activities in Afghanistan using their sanctuaries across the border after foreign troops’ withdrawal.
He said the reason behind regrouping the rebels in Afghanistan was to show the world that the fighters were already existed there.--(PAN)
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