Pakistan rejects Afghan allegations of violating airspace and air strikes inside Afghan territory

Pakistan has turned down the Afghan allegations about violation of its airspace and carrying out air strikes inside Afghanistan's territory and termed the accusation "baseless".

Foreign Office Spokesman Dr. Mohammad Faisal in his midnight tweets said Pakistani security forces are undertaking counter-terrorism operations in Bajaur Agency directed against terrorist groups who continue to attack Pakistan from their sanctuaries based on Afghan soil that has resulted in the loss of lives and injuries on the Pakistani side.

The information about the ongoing counter-terrorism operations is shared with the Afghan security forces on a regular basis.

"In the meeting of the Director Generals Military Operations of the two countries held in Rawalpindi Thursday, Pakistan shared details of the operations with the Afghan side indicating that these operations were on the Pakistani side of the border."

He said, "Pakistan urges Afghanistan to focus on taking effective counter-terrorism actions including plugging of large gaps existing along the Afghan side of Pakistan-Afghanistan border to prevent the targeting of Pakistani civilians and security forces by terrorists from Afghan soil."

Pakistan rejected the baseless Afghan allegations of violation of its airspace and air raids inside Afghan territory by Pakistan Air Force. 1/6

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) April 5, 2018

It is also important that the Afghan government should refrain from the blame game. Instead, there is a need to work together to combat terrorism and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation for shared progress and prosperity of the peoples of the two countries, the FO Spokesman added.

Prime Minister's visit to Afghanistan

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will make a daylong visit to neighboring Afghanistan on Friday, the foreign office said.

According to reports, PM Abbasi will hold talks on issues of mutual interest in meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. Peace talks, economic matters, security and counter-terror operations, and the successful rehabilitation of Afghan refugees are expected to be discussed.