Afghanistan summons Pak envoy to protest against cross-border shelling

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry has reportedly summoned Pakistan's Ambassador Abrar Hussain in Kabul to lodge protest against cross-border shelling by Pakistani troops on Thursday, which is said to have killed three people.

A statement issued by the ministry said that there had been 'continuous mortar and artillery shelling by Pakistani military forces' into Afghan territory from across the Durand Line over the past few days, reported the Dawn.

It claimed that Speen Zhay, Dwa Khula, Chunchro Tangai and Kamary Lakar areas of Nazyan District of Nangarhar Province, and Batash, Dolay Khor and Chogam areas of Naray and Sheigal Districts of Kunar Province were hit by firing.

Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai told Pakistani envoy that the continuity of such attacks were against principles of good neighbourliness, international law and norms, and could significantly harm friendly relations between the two nations.

While calling for attacks to be halted, Karzai said that the incidents were fuelling hatred against Pakistan.

Sources in the Pakistani army denied that any major incident of cross-border shelling took place over the past few days.