KABUL -  National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar on Wednesday said the government would allow no one to violate Afghanistan’s territorial integrity.

The advisor was talking to elders of Kharoti, Wazir and Sulemankhel tribes from the Barmal district of southeastern Paktika province at his office in Kabul, the National Security Council spokesman said.

Tawab Ghorzang told Pajhwok Afghan News the elders assured Atmar of their tribes’ full support to the Afghan security forces in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and maintaining security.

Atmar said in the long history of Afghanistan, the Afghan people had voluntarily participated in defending the country’s sovereignty, soil and pride.

He insisted the Afghan government would not allow any violation of the country’s territorial integrity.

He thanked the residents of Barmal district for their cooperation with security forces in maintaining security and said people’s cooperation with the security forces was prerequisite for durable peace.

The national security advisor also listened to problems shared with him by the visiting elders and promised to raise them with the ministries concerned and the president.

The meeting comes about a month after Afghan and Pakistani forces traded weapons fire during an overnight border clash in the Angoor Ada area of Barmal district after the Pakistani forces attempted to construct a military installation in the Zero Point area.

An Afghan border police officer and several Pakistani security men were killed during the skirmish. Last week, an Afghan Defence Ministry delegation visited Pakistan to discuss the matter with Pakistani officials.

Reports say the Pakistani forces, after a lull, have resumed work on the new installation, but both countries have so far said nothing in this regard. (Pajhwok)