TORKHAM: Afghan forces resorted to unprovoked fire at Torkham border hours after claiming nine lives and leaving 46 wounded including civilians and Frontier Constabulary servicemen earlier in firing in Chaman on Friday.
Bab-e-Dosti among two border crossings were shut while Afghan chargé d affairs were lodged a protest within Islamabad by Foreign Office.
Afghan forces had opened fire in Chaman earlier where Pakistani census officials were carrying out a count.
The gunfight prompted Pakistani authorities to shut the Chaman border crossing, one of only two major crossing points along the disputed frontier, and threatens to exacerbate already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
“Afghan border police opened fire on FC detailed for security of population census team,” the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
“Since 30th April, Afghan Border Police had been creating hurdles in conduct of census in divided villages of Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir in Charnan area on Pakistani side of the border. This was done despite the fact that Afghan authorities had been informed well in advance and coordination was carried out through diplomatic and military channels for conduct of census,” Pakistan Army’s media wing added.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the causalities and directed authorities to provide medical aid to those injured.
According to the sources, Pak army’s retaliation resulted in killings of several Afghan soldiers.
A number of contingents of Pakistan Army were dispatched to Chaman while the air force was alerted.
