World | Pakistan
Islamabad protests firing from across Afghan border
Pakistan said on Thursday its has lodged a protest with Afghanistan and Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) over the attack on a Pakistani border post in Bajaur tribal area.
- By Shahid Hussain, Correspondent
- Published: 00:45 April 25, 2008
Islamabad: Pakistan said on Thursday its has lodged a protest with Afghanistan and Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) over the attack on a Pakistani border post in Bajaur tribal area.
"They have been told in clear terms that such incidents must not be repeated," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told a media briefing.
As a result of firing and shelling on the post from the other side on Wednesday a security personnel was killed, he said.
The incident happened when Nato-led forces and Afghan troops clashed with Taliban militants on the Pakistan-Afghan border. They pounded the Pakistani side with shells.
Sadiq said it was explained by the other side that Afghan and ISAF troops were operating against the Taliban who were active in the area and attacked an Afghan post.
"We emphasised that military action on Pakistan side is the exclusive responsibility of Pakistani forces," the spokesman said.
About US concern over talks with militants, the spokesman said Pakistan had a comprehensive strategy combining political, socio-economic and military elements to address the problem of militancy and terrorism.
Overall strategy
He said military action alone would not be effective and the government was therefore reaching out to the tribal leaders and notables as part of the political overture in the overall strategy.
But political engagement was possible only with those who renounce militancy and violence, do not allow the use of Pakistani territory against any other country and do not help foreign terrorist elements to find hideouts, Sadiq said.
The spokesman said the determination to use force wherever required "remains an important element of our strategy".
Replying to a question he said there were no negotiations with elements involved in violent activities and the government would respond firmly to establish its writ wherever it was challenged. About US and Afghan reaction to Pakistan's policy he said, "Our friends understand Pakistan's approach."
The leader of Pakistani Taliban, Baitullah Mullah Mehsud, has reportedly ordered his fighters to stop their activities in the tribal region of the North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan.
The development followed behind-the-scene negotiations between Mehsud-led Tehrik Taliban Pakistan and the government, reports said.
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