Pakistan paramilitary soldier martyred in cross-border fire

KHAR: A Pakistani paramilitary soldier was martyred on Friday by cross-border fire from Afghanistan in the northwestern mountainous tribal region of Bajaur, military officials said.

"A paramilitary soldier embraced martyrdom due to terrorists´ fire from across the border (Afghanistan) near Ghakhai pass in Bajaur this afternoon," the army said in a statement.

However, the identity of the militants behind the attack was not mentioned.

It comes after a foiled attack on Pakistani check posts by dozens of militants hiding in Afghanistan´s border areas earlier this week. At least six militants were killed and nine others were wounded in the attack on Tuesday night near a post between Tripaman and Inkal Sar in the Lower Dir district, close to the border in the country´s restive northwest.

Militants based in Afghanistan have attacked Pakistani security posts a number of times souring diplomatic ties between Islamabad and Kabul.

Islamabad has blamed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah for the attacks. Fazlullah is believed to be hiding somewhere in Afghanistan´s Nuristan province.

Bajaur is one of the seven tribal districts in Pakistan which border Afghanistan.

Pakistan´s military has been fighting an offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in the restive North Waziristan tribal district since mid-June. (AFP)