SHARAN, Dec 31 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Officials in the southeastern province of Paktika said Sunday Taliban fighters have fired 20 rockets from Pakistan on a border district of Afghanistan.

Paktika governor Dr Akram Khpalwak told Pajhwok Afghan News all the rockets fired Saturday evening hit Barmal district, but did not cause any casualties since they landed in farms and uninhabited areas in villages. The attack, however, has caused heavy material losses for people, said the governor.

Khpalwak blamed Pakistan for sending militants to Afghanistan for fighting and allowing them to use the Pakistani soil for attacks on border areas of Afghanistan. He said antigovernment elements were crossing the joint border from the neighboring country and were returning back after conducting attacks in Afghanistan.

Barmal district was visited the same day by defence minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak to encourage the national army soldiers for protection of their land by participating with them in the in the Eid festival.

Javed Hamim

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