Islamabad summoned Afghanistan’s deputy head of mission to the Pakistani Foreign Office on Wednesday in protest over the alleged arrest of two diplomatic officials in Kabul.

In a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs, Islamabad said the diplomats had been arrested by security agencies and that Afghan Charge d Affaires Abdul Nasir Yousafi was summoned in protest over the arrests.

“The Afghan DHM was conveyed that the incident was a clear violation of the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations (1961) and against the spirit of the brotherly relations between the two countries.

“It was emphasized that such incidents undermined the constructive engagement which the two countries envisaged for strengthening of bilateral ties. 

“We urge the Afghan government to take immediate steps to ensure the security and safety of our diplomatic personnel and premises and to ensure that such incident do not take place in future,” read the statement.

The officials did not however provide details around the arrest or divulge the identities of the two diplomats. 

Afghan officials have not commented but according to a source the two diplomats were held in custody for three hours before being released. 

This comes amid ongoing tension between Kabul and Islamabad, including that around the Durand Line skirmishes in the Spin Boldak area of Kandahar.

Early this month, clashes broke out between Afghan border forces and Pakistan security forces which resulted in the death of at least four Afghan soldiers. At the time Afghanistan said the battle erupted after Pakistani military encroached on Afghan territory.

Pakistan also claimed that its security forces had killed about 50 Afghan soldiers in the clash – Kabul however, vehemently denied these claims.