PESHAWAR – Pakistan security forces have suffered a blow after an ambush atthe security post at Afghan border from across the border.
At least five Frontier Corps (FC) were reported martyred while 12 otherswere injured in an attack from across the border, *DawnNewsTV* reported onMonday.
The attack, which was carried out from the Khost province of Afghanistan,targeted a border post in Laka Tika area of Lower Kurram Agency, officialsof the political administration in Kurram Agency said.
According to MNA Sajid Toori, the skirmishes, which spanned more than 24hours, also left at least 10 assailants dead and several injured. Thebodies of the slain FC troops were recovered after officials from bothsides held dialogues, of which MNA Toori and several others were a part of.
The political administration, however, has not yet confirmed the recoveryof bodies.
Armed tribesmen arriving to Pak-Afghan border to join security personnel.—Photo provided by author
According to government officials, scores of armed tribesmen from theBangash and other tribes, at the request of tribal elders, had rushed tothe border to support under-fire Pakistani security personnel.
Following extensive retaliatory firing, the security personnel andtribesmen had managed to repel the attackers.
On Sunday, Inter-Services Public Relations, the Army’s media wing, said FCtroops were fired upon from Afghanistan while they were busy in “routinesurveillance along the Pak-Afghan border for plugging of gaps and makingnecessary preparations for starting fencing in that area.”
“Pakistani troops are exercising maximum restraint so as to avoid anyAfghan civilian casualties,” the statement had said, adding: “militaryengagement is underway to defuse [the] situation.”
An investigation into the firing incident has been initiated.