Afghan troops cross into Pakistan

September 8, 1981

Soviet-supported Afghan troops with armored vehicles crossed into Pakistan Monday to search a village that was strafed and bombed during the weekend by two MiG 17 jetfighters, Radio Pakistan said. It was the first time forces of the Soviet-installed Afghan regime were reported to have crossed into Pakistani territory.

The official radio said 40 Afghan troops entered Shahba Killi village, in Pakistan's Baluchistan province, and began house-to-house searches until Pakistani frontier guards called in by the villagers arrived.

Pakistani officials would not comment on whether Pakistani and Afghan troops had engaged in battle or if the incursion force was accompanied by any of the Soviet soldiers occupying Afghanistan.