Stop cross-border raids, FO tells Kabul

An attack by hundreds of militants from across the border Saturday killed 25 Pakistani paramilitary troops. The attack involved heavy shelling on Pak checkposts.Pakistan’s FO called the Afghan Nazim-ul-Amoor (Charge d’Affairs) and lodged a strong protest. The FO hoped that such attacks would be dealt with by the Afghan and NATO coalition authorities on an urgent basis as they have destabilising effect.The Afghan Charge d’Affairs in Islamabad was called in at the Foreign Ministry and a strong protest was lodged against the attack on seven Pakistani checkposts at Chitral on Saturday morning. These attacks were operated from Afghanistan’s Kunar and Nooristan areas.The Afghan Charge d’ Affairs was conveyed the concern of the government as well as the people of Pakistan. He was also told that such activates could be harmful to the ongoing war against terrorism as there is great necessity of establishing peace in the border region to continue operation against the terrorists.The Foreign Office apprised the Afghan diplomat that activities of the terrorists are the matter of concern for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Such blatant attacks from across the border could not be tolerated.“It is Pakistan’s expectation that ISAF and the Afghan National Army would take effective measures to prevent such incursions by militants from safe havens across the border in Kunar and Nooristan and to enhance border security,” the Foreign Office added.Earlier, Afghan-based Taliban attacked on a Pakistani checkpost in Dir, prompting Pakistan to urge NATO, Afghan forces and ISAF to take action against cross-border militancy against Pakistan.