Kabul offers to probe deaths of FC soldiers

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan on Friday cast doubt on Pakistan’s claim that the killing of 23 Frontier Corps soldiers had occurred on its soil but offered to probe the incident nevertheless. The statement came hours after Pakistan lodged a strong protest over the brutal murder of FC personnel on Afghan territory. On Monday, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Mohmand Agency chapter claimed responsibility for the killing of the FC personnel, throwing into disarray the fragile peace process. The group is believed to have hideouts in the rugged border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan and its fighters routinely move between the two countries. Following the incident, Sartaj Aziz, adviser to the prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, conveyed Islamabad’s concerns to Kabul on the killings. Responding to the statement, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said there was no evidence to substantiate that the killings occurred on Afghan territory. “The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan cannot confirm that the 23 FC personnel were killed inside Afghan territory, but will take the necessary action in order to verify the veracity of the incident,” the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement. However, the statement also said that Kabul will investigate the matter. “It is our belief that any terrorist act in our region is the outcome of the short-sighted policy of using extremism and terrorism as a means of strategic influence and pursuing misperceived national interest.” The ministry further said that Afghanistan is committed to tackling terrorism in the region and called upon Pakistan to cooperate in dismantling sanctuaries. Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2014.