Afghan, Pakistani Troops Reportedly Exchange Gunfire

(RFE/RL) May 17, 2007 -- Pakistani and Afghan troops reportedly exchanged fire along their contested border early today.
The Pakistani military said the incident occurred in the Gavi area of Pakistan's Kurram region. There has been no comment yet from Afghan officials.

Clashes between Afghan and Pakistani troops in the same area on May 13-14 left at least 13 Afghan border troops and civilians dead.

On May 16, hundreds of Afghans shouting "Death to Pakistan" demonstrated outside the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul.

Afghan officials have blamed this week's clashes on Pakistani soldiers, accusing them of entering Afghan territory. Pakistani officials blame Afghan soldiers, saying they fired first on border posts.

Relations between the neighbors are strained. Afghanistan often accuses Pakistan of doing little to stop Taliban militants from crossing into Afghanistan to carry out attacks.

(AP)

RFE/RL Afghanistan Report

RFE/RL Afghanistan Report


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