The Afghan government called for an end to cross-border attacks from Pakistan, warning that such incidents could affect “improving trust and cooperation” between the two wary allies. The high-level warning comes after days of claim and counter-claim over cross-border attacks by the neighbors, whose relations are strained over the militancy faced by both which Kabul says is rooted in Pakistan.
“The Afghan government calls for the immediate cessation of the artillery fire against Afghan villages.
“The continuation of such incidents could adversely affect the spirit of improving trust and cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs first complained on Monday about Pakistan shelling soon after an assault by Pakistani forces drove militants across the border. The two sides blame each other for failing to crack down hard enough on militants along a porous border across which insurgents move freely.
Islamabad this month also complained twice to Kabul that militants had been attacking Pakistani villages from across the border in Afghanistan.
The Afghan government said that 10 Pakistani artillery shells landed in Sarkano district of Kunar province on Thursday night, killing four children, and in Goshta district of Nangahar province.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan expresses its serious concern about the continuing Pakistani artillery shelling,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, five civilians and one policeman were killed on Friday by a bicycle bomb which exploded in a bazaar in Afghanistan, the provincial governor’s spokesman said.
Women and children were among 22 others injured in the blast, which took place around 6:00 p.m. in Khan Abad district, Kunduz province.
“The bomb was attached to a bicycle and went off in the bazaar in Khan Abad district,” said Kunduz provincial spokesman Mahboobullah Saeedi.
“So far we have confirmed six people including one policeman dead.”
Provincial police spokesman Sarwar Hussaini confirmed the death toll and blamed the Taleban for the attack, although the militants were not immediately contactable.
“Six people have been killed and 22 others injured as a result of today’s explosion,” Hussaini said.
“There is one policeman among the dead. There are also three children, four women and one policeman among the injured. It was a busy bazaar. The Taleban are responsible -- they want to terrorize people.”
In another development, President Nicolas Sarkozy announced on Friday that “several hundred” French troops will be withdrawn from Afghanistan before the end of 2011.
“Between now and the end of the year, early next year, several hundred French soldiers will return to France in full agreement with the decision taken by the American president,” Sarkozy told a news conference at the close of a two-day European Union summit.
