Pakistan Army denies US drone strikes in its territory

Islamabad Oct 17 (IANS) The Pakistan Army on Tuesday said there had been no US drone strikes on the Pakistani side of the border in recent days and all military operations had been conducted on the Afghan side of the border.

Pakistani media had earlier reported that three US drone strikes had been conducted in the Kurram tribal region over the past two days and killed nearly 31 suspected militants.

However the army said in a statement that no drone strike had taken place in Pakistan.

"There has been neither air violation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in that area nor any drone strike in Kurram Agency as being misreported by few. Based on timely sharing Pakistan Army is vigilant as Anvil on own side along Pakistan-Afghan border " a statement from the army s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

The statement said military operations were being conducted in Khost and Paktia provinces in Afghanistan by the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) and Afghan Forces opposite to Kurram Agency.

During last 24 hours a number of Air engagements have taken place in those areas inside Afghanistan with reports of heavy losses to terrorists the statement further said.

As an outcome of the army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa s visit to Afghanistan on October 1 coordination between the forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan has enhanced.

"RSM timely shared details about the said operation within Afghan territory " the Pakistan Army said adding a better security coordination will take both countries toward enduring peace and stability defeating the common enemy.

--IANS
ahm/nir