Afghan President Hamid Karzai accuses Pakistan of firing 470 rockets into two of its eastern border provinces in a three-week barrage. Afghan security forces said Sunday that 36 people have died in the barrages, which hit civilians in areas where Nato forces have withdrawn. After the civilians fled, Pakistani Taliban came in and occupied the cleared areas, Afghan border officials said.
Afghan security officials say joint Nato and Afghan border units have fired back into Pakistan. Nato and Pakistan military officials, however, have denied any knowledge of border skirmishes. Afghan President Hamid Karzai ruled out Sunday asking the United States to send more troops if the security situation in Afghanistan deteriorates following the US military drawdown.
Asked on CNN whether he would go back to US President Barack Obama and ask him to perhaps reverse the drawdown if the Afghan army failed to maintain security, Karzai replied: "I will not do that. "It is the responsibility of the Afghan people to protect their country and to provide security for the citizens of the country," he said.