On Wednesday, at least four coppers embraced martyrdom while more than 16 fighters were killed as holy warriors’ attempts to enter Pakistain from Afghanistan were foiled by troops deployed along the border with Afghanistan.
Militants had attacked two security checkposts in the southern part of the district. The pre-dawn attack had targeted check posts in Astui Pass and Jinjiret Koh situated in the south of Lower Chitral, bordering the Afghan province of Nuristan. Astui Pass is located in the Bumburet Valley, one of the three valleys in southern Chitral where the Kalash community resides.
"Terrorists’ movement and concentration in Gawardesh, Pitigal, Barg-e-Matel, and Batash areas of Nuristan and Kunar province
... which is right down the road from Chitral. Kunar is Haqqani country.....
s of Afghanistan had already been picked up and were timely shared with the interim Afghan government," the military’s media wing had said, adding that the Afghan government was "expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by Lions of Islam for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistain."
The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...Pakistain (TTP) had reportedly grabbed credit for the attack through its spokesperson, Mohammad Khorasani.
Commenting on the matter while responding to a question on rising terrorism in Pakistain emanating from Afghanistan, FM Jilani told Dawn.com: "It was an isolated incident and we don’t think it had their (Afghan government) sanction."
The foreign minister later reiterated his stance and said ongoing dialogue with the Afghan government on surging militancy was "very positive".