Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Afghanistan to Notify UN over Shelling from Pakistan

Afghanistan to  Notify UN over  Shelling from Pakistan

KABUL - The Afghan government will raise the controversial cross-border shelling from Pakistan into Afghanistan's eastern regions with the United Nations Security Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Janan Mosazai said Sunday.

Attacks from Pakistan have displaced hundreds of Afghan residents who were facing threats from living in the eastern border region, Mosazai said in a press briefing in Kabul.

"The Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs will address the issue of Pakistan's cross-border shelling at the United Nations Security Council Summit," Mosazai said, adding that the attacks have had a negative impact on relations between the two countries.

The rocket attacks from Pakistan have killed as many as 12 Afghan civilians in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Nuristan provinces since the start of the shelling more than a year ago, and it has displaced hundreds of others fleeing the threat.

The ongoing shelling was the main cause of the dismissal of Afghanistan's Minister of Defence and Minister of Interior at the start of August this year after the lawmakers held them to account for not doing enough to prevent the attacks.

A tripartite committee comprised of Afghan and Pakistani government's security officials and Isaf commanders was formed to address border issues, including the shelling, but the tension has not eased as attacks on both sides continue.

Pakistan security officials accuse the Afghan government of providing safe haven to insurgents who have crossed the border and attacked Pakistani checkpoints. The Afghan government accuses Pakistan of the same thing, except it accuses insurgents of crossing from Pakistan and attacking Afghan security forces.

Pakistan has said it will launch a massive military operation in the tribal areas close to the Afghan border to clear the area of insurgents; however fears are that it will only drive more people including insurgents into Afghan territory.

The international community has accused Pakistan of giving a "safe haven" to insurgents, particularly the Haqqani Network which has executed many high profile attacks on Afghan and foreign forces in Afghanistan. (Tolo News)