Pakistan on Friday summoned Afghanistan’s charged’ affairs in Islamabad and “strongly condemned” the recent unprovoked cross-border shelling by its forces.

“Pakistan’s strong blame over recent incidents of senseless cross-border shelling by Afghan Border Security Forces in the Chaman-Spain Boldak area, resulting in loss of life, injuries and damage to property, was conveyed,” a statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch read.

Islamabad told the Afghan envoy that civilians’ protection is both countries’ primary duty, adding that the recurrence of such incidents must be prevented.

The spokesperson said: “It was fixed to use established institutional mechanisms in this regard. Pakistan remains committed to maintaining fraternal relations with Afghanistan. Peace along the Pak-Afghan border is intrinsic to this end.”