A paramilitary soldier was killed on Friday by cross-border fire from Afghanistan in the north-western mountainous tribal region of Bajaur, military officials said. "A paramilitary soldier embraced martyrdom due to terrorists' fire from across the border (Afghanistan) near Ghakhai pass in Bajaur this afternoon," the army said in a statement. However the identity of the militants behind the attack was not mentioned.
It comes after a foiled attack on Pakistani check posts by dozens of militants hiding in Afghanistan's border areas earlier this week. At least six militants were killed and nine others were wounded in the attack on Tuesday night near a post between Tripaman and Inkal Sar in the Lower Dir district, close to the border in the country's restive north-west. Militants based in Afghanistan have attacked security posts a number of times souring diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Kabul. Islamabad has blamed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah for the attacks. Fazlullah is believed to be hiding somewhere in Afghanistan's Nuristan province.
The assault, which was rumoured for months, followed a brazen insurgent attack on Karachi airport that left dozens dead and a peace process with the Pakistani Taliban in tatters.