Up to 7 Afghan troops killed in Pakistan clash

[EagleEyes]

Up to 7 Afghan troops killed in Pakistan clash
(Reuters)
13 May 2007


ISLAMABAD - Up to seven Afghan troops were killed in a border clash with Pakistani forces on Sunday in the most serious incident in years between the uneasy neighbours who are officially partners in the US-led war on terrorism.


Pakistan military spokesman Major-General Waheed Arshad said Afghan troops opened “unprovoked firing” on five or six border posts in the Kurram tribal region in northwest Pakistan. Pakistani paramilitary forces retaliated, he said.

“We have reports six to seven of their troops have been killed. Three of our soldiers have been wounded,” Arshad said.

Afghan army general Murad Ali Murad, who is based in the eastern Afghan province of Paktika, confirmed the clash and said there had been casualties on his side.

The clash erupted after Pakistani forces moved a border post toward the Afghan side in Zazai district, the Afghan general said. Afghan troops had been sent in to back up border police as the fighting escalated, he said.

Relations between the neighbours have deteriorated sharply over the past 18 months, largely over Afghan complaints that Pakistan is not doing enough to stop Taleban insurgents operating from the Pakistani side of the disputed border.

The clash comes two weeks after Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met for the first time in months and agreed to step up security cooperation.

Afghanistan says a resurgent Taleban are operating from Pakistani sanctuaries. Pakistan, the main backer of the Taleban before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, denies that and says the root of the Taleban problem is in Afghanistan.

Stung by accusations it is not doing enough to stop the insurgents, Pakistan has begun building a fence along parts of the border to stop militant infiltration. But Afghanistan opposes fencing a border it has never recognised.

Disagreement over the internationally recognised border, known as the Durand Line after the British colonial administrator who drew it, has bedeviled relations since Pakistan’s creation in 1947.

Pakistan is also deeply suspicious of involvement but it old rival, India, in Afghanistan.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...ontinent_May492.xml&section=subcontinent&col=

 

[EagleEyes]

Unthankful bastards.

 

[Cheetah786]

Unthankful bastards.

exactly we gave shelter and security to these people and first thing they wanna do is stab Pakistan in the back.let the can of a.s.s whopping begin.

 

[EagleEyes]

I have a feeling that the government that currently exist in Afghanistan is much sided and supported by India. Their goals and mission integrate since we supported the Taliban. Pakistan should move in and create a different government in Afghanistan which is there for the country's stability. These kind of assholes who are opposing Durand Line and are siding up with India need to be shot down.

 

[EagleEyes]

This is getting dirty they shot down a helicopter.

THOUSANDS of civilians joined Afghan forces to fight Pakistani troops who overnight took some areas in a border region, sparking the worst clash in decades between the two neighbours, an Afghan spokesman said.

Pakistan said up to seven Afghan troops were killed after they opened fire on Pakistani positions.

Afghan defence ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said local tribesmen had shot down a Pakistani helicopter at the site of the clash in Zazai district of southeastern Paktika province.

Mr Azimi said Pakistani forces had penetrated several kilometres in some parts of a strategic area on the Afghan side of the Durand Line, which divides the two countries.

"As soon as people heard that such an incident had happened, thousands of people started arriving at the battle front," he said in Kabul.

He said tens of thousands of tribesmen had offered to join government ranks, but Kabul had stopped them and was keen to find a diplomatic solution to the clash.

Mr Azimi said the only two fatalities on the Afghan side were two schoolchildren. Two police officers were wounded.

He said the clash, which lasted for several hours, was a provocative act by the Pakistani government designed to deflect attention from the violence that has erupted at home over the suspension of the country's chief justice.

In Pakistan, military spokesman Major-General Waheed Arshad said up to seven Afghan troops were killed in a border clash with Pakistani forces.

Maj-Gen Arshad said Afghan troops opened "unprovoked firing" on five or six border posts in the Kurram tribal region in northwest Pakistan.

Pakistani paramilitary forces retaliated, he said.

"We have reports six to seven of their troops have been killed. Three of our soldiers have been wounded," Maj-Gen Arshad said.

Relations between the neighbours have deteriorated sharply over the past 18 months, largely over Afghan complaints that Pakistan is not doing enough to stop Taliban insurgents operating from the Pakistani side of the disputed border.

The clash comes two weeks after Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf met for the first time in months and agreed to step up security cooperation.

Afghanistan said a resurgent Taliban are operating from Pakistani sanctuaries. Pakistan, the main backer of the Taliban before the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, denies that and said the root of the Taliban problem is in Afghanistan.

Stung by accusations it is not doing enough to stop the insurgents, Pakistan has begun building a fence along parts of the border to stop militant infiltration. But Afghanistan opposes fencing a border it has never recognised.

Disagreement over the internationally recognised border, known as the Durand Line after the British colonial administrator who drew it, has bedevilled relations since Pakistan's creation in 1947.

Pakistan is also deeply suspicious of involvement but it old rival, India, in Afghanistan.

 

[BATMAN]

Pakistan should use cluster bombs, land mines and aireal support in future to counter any similar insurguncies and should missile all base camps of Afghan military from where such provocative acts originate.

Pak troops must be armed with advance arms and technologies in order to minimising casualities on our side.

Pak army should be on high alert at Indian border, too.

Hamid Karzai and its cabinate is a bunch of bastards. They are working on Indian concpiracy plans.

 

[BATMAN]

This is getting dirty they shot down a helicopter.

If this is the case Pakistan should respond with fierce airstrike.

I guess these bastards are creating an opening for some serious development, most likely in Kashmir sector.

 

[BATMAN]

I don't know why Pakistan military did not smell the mouse when Afghans opposed the land mine plans.

 

[Adux]

How could you do an airstrike, when the Airspace is controlled by French and the Germans. Tornado's F3 and Rafale's are deployed in the area, and they have no love lost for Pakistan who they directly blame for the Taliban support infrastructure as Nato Commanders usually say "Pakistan isnt doing much". Lobbing grenades, Shells and Shooting each other will not be bothered about; airspace attack will be in my humble opinion. RAW seems to be doing a bang up job finally from an Indian perspective.

 

[EagleEyes]

RAW seems to be doing a bang up job finally from an Indian perspective.

Thats true. Perhaps, Pakistan now should start another Kargil.

 

[Adux]

I dont care either ways,

 

[BATMAN]

How could you do an airstrike, when the Airspace is controlled by French and the Germans. Tornado's F3 and Rafale's are deployed in the area, and they have no love lost for Pakistan who they directly blame for the Taliban support infrastructure as Nato Commanders usually say "Pakistan isnt doing much". Lobbing grenades, Shells and Shooting each other will not be bothered about; airspace attack will be in my humble opinion. RAW seems to be doing a bang up job finally from an Indian perspective.

I see, this as a provocative conspiracy by Indians to creat circumstances of conflict with NATO.

If NATO is overlooking such activities than they are party to that and there is nothing we can help to prevent conflict.

If RAW is playing all this than Pakistan should respont evenly.

If NATO is in no controll of ground where they believe taliban are operating than what the hell is use of Rafale's.
Taliban arn't going to engage NATO in any dogfight.

 

[Cheetah786]

Thats true. Perhaps, Pakistan now should start another Kargil.

It isn't in our National interest to open up another front.As of now.Remember Revenge is Best served cold.

 

[Adux]

Conspiracy of the Indians, Maybe. But can you "please" entertain the slightest possibility that the Afghani's never accepted the Durrand line in its history. Therefore they prefered shooting at the pakistani counter-parts when they tried to encroach into their claimed territory by fencing them. You cant do jack against the NATO.NATO is a complete Party to this incident in my opinion since they blame Pakistan for Taliban and they see as the apt oppertunity. When Afghan forces engage Pakistan it makes less noise than when they do. An Ally cant attack ally can they;(MNNA).

I dont think Indians are involved in this, But rather Afghani's themselves with the blessings of NATO.

 

[BATMAN]

Please, name the Afghani who has said any thing on the status of 'Durrand Line'.
NATO has always appreciated Pakistan for there help.
I don't believe you that NATO is cospirating or blessing this all.
I'm anxious to hear Pakistan's official statement as they know the affairs well and are in close contact with NATO.