Pakistan lodges strong protest over Pak-Afghan border firing Episode  
By Maria A Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday strongly protested to the coalition authorities over the January 22 firing incident along the Pak-Afghan border in which a Pakistani soldier was martyred and two others were injured.

The protest was lodged through the Ambassador of the United States and the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom separately at the Foreign Office.

The envoys were told that the coalition authorities should investigate the incident and ensure that such incidents do not occur in future, according to a Foreign Office statement.

Both expressed deep regrets and said the incident was being investigated, the statement said.

American embassy spokesperson said the US Ambassador expressed deep regret for the loss of life of a Pakistani soldier and the wounding of two others and extended his condolences to the families.

The Ambassador noted that the matter was under investigation by coalition forces and underscored that they would "follow up in close coordination with the Pakistani military."

He underlined that Pakistan "is a strong ally in the fight against a common enemy," the spokesperson said.●