ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday lodged a strong protest with Afghanistan over the unprovoked firing by the Afghan forces at Pakistani forces at the Torkham border crossing.

Two soldiers and nine civilians including women and children were injured in the incident Sunday evening.

A statement from the Foreign Office said the Afghan Charge d Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked that the incident be thoroughly investigated and the findings be shared with Pakistani authorities.

It was further emphasized that all steps should be taken for avoiding recurrence of such incidents in the future, the statement said.

The Afghan Charge d Affaires was told that the firing incident was contrary to the spirit of friendly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office said the firing was aimed at disrupting the construction of a gate well inside Pakistani territory at the border designed to facilitate cross border movement of people and vehicles.

It was conveyed to the Afghan side that the regulation of movement at Torkham was part of government s policy to strengthen border management.

The Foreign Office said the Afghan government’s cooperation was needed to enhance mutual security and help combat the threat of terrorism.