One Pakistani soldier killed in Afghan border fire

ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (Reuters) A Pakistani paramilitary soldier was killed and two wounded today in cross-border fire from US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan who apparently mistook the troops for militants, officials said.

The incident took place at Zangota checkpost in the Shawal border area of the North Waziristan tribal region.

''A strong protest has been lodged with Coalition Authorities about the incident, asking them to investigate the matter,'' a military statement said.

A security official said the soldiers might have been mistaken for militants because paramilitary troops wear traditional baggy shalwar and kameez tunics.

Infiltration of militants from Pakistan is a major concern for the US and Afghan forces. The United States and other Western countries have been urging Islamabad, a key ally in Washington's war on terrorism, to do more to curb rebel activities.

US officials say cross-border incursions into Afghanistan by militants based in Pakistan increased significantly after the government signed a peace deal with the militants last September.

This month, NATO and Afghan killed up to 150 militants in a ground and air attack in southern Afghanistan after they infiltrated from Pakistan.

Four Pakistani soldiers and a woman passer-by were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in North Waziristan today.

REUTERS LL RAI2029