ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office said on Thursday a paramilitary soldier had been killed in firing from militants based inside Afghanistan, condemning the use of Afghan soil by “terrorists.”

People on both sides, with close family and tribal ties, have for decades moved freely across the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. But security and monitoring have tightened recently as both nations have accused each other of providing safe havens for militants.

In recent months Pakistan has been fortifying most of the 2,500 km frontier with nine-foot chain-link fences topped with barbed wire to stop incursions. Kabul opposes Islamabad’s plans for a barrier along the disputed frontier and denies it grants safe haven to militants.

“Terrorists from inside Afghanistan fired across international border on a military post in Mohmand District,” the foreign office said, referring to an area close to Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. “In response, Pakistan troops responded promptly. During exchange of fire FC soldier Sepoy Fazal Wahid, age 25 years, resident of Shangla, Swat received bullet injury and embraced shahadat.”

Pakistan “strongly condemns” the use of Afghan soil by militants against Pakistan, the foreign office added.

Pakistan has blamed Pakistani Taliban militants it says are based on Afghan soil for a spate of attacks at home over the past year, urging Kabul to eradicate “sanctuaries” for militants. Afghanistan, in turn, accuses Islamabad of sheltering the leadership of the Afghan Taliban militants who are battling the Western-backed government in Kabul.