2 Pakistani soldiers killed in Afghan border attack

At least two soldiers of the Pakistan Army were killed in a suspected militant attack on a checkpost near the Afghan border on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

"Terrorists from the Afghanistan side attempted an attack on Pakistani posts along the Pak-Afghan border in Bajaur Agency. The attempt was effectively responded killing 8-10 fleeing terrorists, while many seen running back were injured," the ISPR said in a statement.

The deceased soldiers were identified as Captain Junaid Hafeez and Sepoy Raham, Dawn online reported. The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack.

Four soldiers were injured in the incident. "The absence of Afghan (state) writ on (the) Afghan side of the border, like many other areas, facilitates terrorists to undertake such attempts," the ISPR said.

Officials said the militants who have fled to Afghanistan due to military operations in Pakistan operate from the border launching attacks on Pakistani posts.

Both the countries share a 2,600-kilometre border which the Pakistan Army is now fencing to stop cross-border movement of militants. It is the fourth such attack on Pakistani posts from the Afghan side of the border in two months.

--IANS

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