Pakistan says rockets fired from Afghan soil kill two soldiers

Pakistan military said Wednesday that two soldiers were killed and three injured in Bajaur tribal region when rockets were fired from Afghan side of border.

"Terrorists from across the border fired on Pakistani border posts at Manozangal and Mukha Tops in Bajaur tribal region early morning," the military sources said.

"Two soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and three are injured including an officer."

The military sources said in a brief statement that it is third incident of cross border attack/firing since May 25 from Afghanistan.

There was no immediate reaction from the Afghan side of the border.

On Sunday, the Pakistani military said nearly 200 Pakistani Taliban fighters, who officials say, now operate from Afghan soil, launched attacks on Pakistani border posts in Bajaur tribal region, killing one soldier and injuring several others. In retaliation, Pakistani forces had killed 16 militants, according to the army.

Afghan officials said that Pakistani rockets had also killed six people on the same day in eastern Kunar province.

Spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry Zahir Azimi also said Sunday that Pakistani helicopters crossed the border and flew over Kunar.

Both countries have lodged formal protests over the cross- border attacks.

The attacks occurred at a time when cooperation of the two countries are needed for peaceful presidential election runoff in Afghanistan in June.