Pakistani officials have accused Afghan soldiers of crossing into Pakistan and killing two local tribesmen.
Government officials say at least 30 Afghan soldiers clashed with locals in the Upper Kurram region of Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt Monday. The soldiers reportedly were in pursuit of militants from the Afghan side of the border.
The Associated Press quoted the Afghan defense ministry as denying the report.
Meanwhile, Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Faramarz Tamana said his government would report Pakistan to the United Nations Security Council if Islamabad would not stop what Kabul alleges are the shelling of its villages.
There has been an increase in tensions between Kabul and Islamabad as both countries accuse the other of encroaching on each's territory. The porous border is poorly demarcated, and the region a known safe haven for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants who often move freely between the two countries.
Pakistan's former ambassador to Afghanistan Ali Sherzai tells VOA's Deewa service that extremists are benefiting from this tension and that they both need to resolve their differences through dialogue.
The recent attacks also raise concerns of whether Afghan forces will be prepared to take over security responsibility for the entire country once foreign combat troops withdraw by the end of 2014.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
Government officials say at least 30 Afghan soldiers clashed with locals in the Upper Kurram region of Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt Monday. The soldiers reportedly were in pursuit of militants from the Afghan side of the border.
The Associated Press quoted the Afghan defense ministry as denying the report.
Meanwhile, Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Faramarz Tamana said his government would report Pakistan to the United Nations Security Council if Islamabad would not stop what Kabul alleges are the shelling of its villages.
There has been an increase in tensions between Kabul and Islamabad as both countries accuse the other of encroaching on each's territory. The porous border is poorly demarcated, and the region a known safe haven for Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants who often move freely between the two countries.
Pakistan's former ambassador to Afghanistan Ali Sherzai tells VOA's Deewa service that extremists are benefiting from this tension and that they both need to resolve their differences through dialogue.
The recent attacks also raise concerns of whether Afghan forces will be prepared to take over security responsibility for the entire country once foreign combat troops withdraw by the end of 2014.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
