Pakistan Military: 5 Soldiers, 10 Militants Die in Border Raid

Islamic militants attacked three Pakistani military border posts in a tribal region along the Afghan border, killing five soldiers, the army said Monday.

It said that foreign and indigenous terrorist groups continue to pose a danger to USA citizens throughout Pakistan, adding that targeted attacks against government officials, humanitarian and non-governmental organization (NGO) employees, tribal elders, and law enforcement personnel are common in the country.

The move was seen as an effort to pressure Kabul to take action against militants who Pakistan says have sanctuaries in Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

The border crossing will be opened on March 7th and 8th, reported 24 News HD.

A wave of terrorist attacks along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border left 16 people dead in northwestern Pakistan Sunday. And today several such groups are also present in Pakistan who are being supported by Afghanistan while India continue to encourage these groups for creating law and order situation in the country.

“It was further emphasised that cooperation from Afghan side for effective border management was important for preventing cross-border movement of terrorists and militants”, Zakaria said.

On Monday, Pakistan’s foreign office revealed that two border crossings would be reopened for 48 hours on Tuesday to allow stranded visitors from both countries to return home, reports Al Jazeera.

Defending the government’s decision to seal the Pak-Afghan border, the minister said there was an important reason for it.

Pakistan and Afghanistan should resume their dialogue for resolution of disputes, speakers at an event here have said.

Zakhilwal said Pakistan was making a “flawed connection” between the shrine attack and the border.