KABUL - The Afghan government rejects Pakistan's claim that 23 of its soldiers were killed by Pakistani Taliban insurgents on Afghan soil, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a statement on Saturday.

"In the wake of the claim made by Pakistani officials that 23 security personnel of Pakistan were killed by militants inside Afghanistan, the ministry of interior conducted a comprehensive investigation but could not find any evidence to prove the claim and no Pakistani security personnel has been killed on Afghan soil," the statement said.

The Pakistan government has strongly protested the killing of 23 of its soldiers on the Afghan side of the border recently.

The Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the killing of the soldiers. He said the deaths would have a negative impact on current peace talks with the Taliban.

Government negotiators cancelled a meeting with the Taliban scheduled for Monday.

The Taliban's negotiating committee expressed disappointment that the meeting had been cancelled and said that they were close to deciding on a ceasefire.

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. (Tolonews)