Pakistani soldiers guard a checkpoint on the border with Afghanistan. (file photo)
Pakistan has accused Afghan forces of killing at least five people and seriously wounding three others along its porous borders with Afghanistan, security sources say.
Local Pakistani security official said the deaths happened following unprovoked shelling by Afghan troops across border on Wednesday.
The deadly attack took place in southwestern Zhob district located in Pakistani province of Balochistan
œThe indiscriminate firing opened by Afghan security forces left five tribesmen of ‘Loion’ tribe living in Qamar Din Karez area of Zhob district located along Pak-Afghan border,” media outlets quoted a senior Pakistani security official as saying.
Tensions between the two neighbors have risen in recent weeks. Afghanistan blames elements within the Pakistani government for supporting Taliban militants, while Islamabad blames Kabul for giving refuge to militants on its side of the border
The US invaded Afghanistan with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the region. However, after more than nine years the region remains unstable and militancy has expanded towards Pakistan.
Moreover, relations between Kabul and Islamabad have been strained in recent months, especially over the delicate issue of demarcation of the two countries™ border, which is a key battleground in the fight against the Taliban.
Afghanistan has never recognized the British-drawn colonial era border line with northwestern Pakistan.
Pakistan recognizes the Durand Line, the 1893 British-mandated border between the two neighbors, but Afghanistan says that activity by either side along the Durand Line must be approved by both countries.
JR/KA
Copyright: Press TV