[Zubair]

ISLAMABAD: The Army on Wednesday condemned a “completely unprovoked and cowardly” attack by US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan that killed 11 Pakistani soldiers on the border.

An Army statement quoting an spokesman said a paramilitary check-post in the Mohmand tribal agency was “destroyed by coalition forces in Afghanistan through aerial attack”, killing 11 troops including an officer.

“The spokesman condemned this completely unprovoked and cowardly act on the FC (Frontier Corps) post and regretted the loss of precious lives of our soldiers,” it said. “He blamed the coalition forces for violent act and said that the incident had hit at the very basis of cooperation and sacrifice with which Pakistani soldiers are supporting the coalition in the war against terror,” it said.

“He highlighted that such acts of aggression do not serve the common cause of fighting terrorism.” The statement added: “A strong protest has been launched by the Pakistan Army and we reserve the right to protect our citizens and soldiers against aggression.”