Pakistan on Monday summoned Afghan Deputy Head of Mission to Foreign Office and lodged a protest with him on the intrusion of militants from the Afghan side into Pakistani territory, Foreign Affairs Ministry said. "The Afghan Deputy Head of Mission was called to the Foreign Office (Monday) and a protest was launched on the intrusion of militants from the Afghan side into Pakistani territory", said Foreign Office spokesman, Moazam Ahmed Khan.
He said that the Afghan diplomat was informed that the Government of Afghanistan should take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in future. On Sunday night about 100 militants from across the border had entered Dir and clashed with a Pakistani Security Forces' patrolling party.
In the exchange of fire, 11 militants were killed while 6 security forces personnel embraced Shahadat, while 11 had gone missing, the spokesman further said. However, reports said seven Pakistani solders who earlier gone missing during the armed clash, have been beheaded in captivity. Cross border infiltration has remained the key issue between the two neighbouring countries with Afghanistan alleging militants to operate from the tribal areas to undertake attacks against US led Nato forces and Afghan National Army.
According to sources, the issue would also be discussed in the 4th Quadrilateral Summit being hosted by Pakistan from September 26-27 in which Afghan President Hamid Karzai along with head of states of Russian Federation and Tajikistan would participate.