Pakistan yesterday denied that its security forces were allowing men to cross its border with Afghanistan unchecked, even as its military wages its biggest assault yet against suspected al-Qaeda militants in a tribal region near the frontier.
An Associated Press reporter who visited the Afghan side of the border Saturday in southeastern Paktika province -- about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from a battle between Pakistani forces and militants -- saw men of fighting age stream back and forth across the frontier at a rate of about two a minute. None were asked for documents.
But Abdul Rauf Chaudhry, spokesman for Pakistan's Interior Ministry, said that Pakistani paramilitary rangers and troops were alert and guarding the border to prevent any "miscreants" from crossing illegally.
He said guards might allow local tribesmen they recognize to cross to visit relatives.
"There are many tribes near the Pakistan-Afghan border. People belonging to these tribes are usually not discouraged by the government from visiting relatives," he said.
"Our people, who are guarding the border, know these tribesmen very well," he said. "These are the people who might have been seen crossing the border."
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