Pakistan stands by Afghanistan in its anti-terror fight: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a military base in Balkh province of Afghanistan.

In his message, he said the government and people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the government of Afghanistan and Afghan brethren in this hour of grief.

The Prime Minister said terrorism is a common enemy and a threat to peace in the region.

He reaffirmed that we stand by Afghanistan and its people in their fight against terrorism and pursuit of peace and stability.

Dozens of Afghan soldiers were killed or wounded on Friday when Taliban gunmen disguised in Afghan army uniform talked their way past checkpoints and attacked a military base, officials said.

A U.S. official in Washington put the toll at more than 50 killed and wounded. Afghan officials offered conflicting numbers of casualties in the incident, at a major headquarters in northern Afghanistan often used by foreign military advisers.

The Western-backed Afghan government is locked in a prolonged war with Taliban insurgents and other militant groups.

The attack was launched near a mosque on the base in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, as soldiers were leaving Friday prayers, said army spokesman Nasratullah Jamshidi.