Pakistan 'gravely concerned by Afghan-based' attack

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan lodged a strong protest with the Afghan government Monday over the killing of five Pakistani soldiers in its northern Mohmand Agency and another soldier in Khyber Agency tribal regions by terrorists allegedly based in Afghanistan Sunday.

According to Pakistani Foreign Ministry’s statement Monday, the Afghan deputy head of mission was called to the ministry in the capital Islamabad to express Pakistan's "grave concern over the incident".

"The Afghan government was urged to thoroughly investigate the incidents and take firm action against terrorists operating from its soil to prevent recurrence of such incidents," it said.

Meanwhile, the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, said to be an ally of Pakistani Taliban's coalition -- Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan -- claimed responsibility for the two attacks.