Seven killed, 29 injured in Afghan forces firing on census team in Chaman
The gunfight prompted Pakistani authorities to shut the Chaman border crossing.
CHAMAN (Dunya News / AFP) – At least seven civilians including three children and two women were killed and 29 others injured in unprovoked firing and shelling by Afghan forces near a major border crossing 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 (Frontier Corps) 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.
Commenting on the incident during weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria pointed out that border between the two countries is clearly demarcated and Pakistani teams were conducting the census drive in its own area which is our sovereign right.
The spokesperson asked Afghanistan to stop firing against Pakistani forces. In case it does not stop, he said Pakistan reserves the right to respond to preserve its sovereignty and protect its civilians.
According to sources, the foreign office has decided to summon Afghan charge d affaires to lodge strong protest over border firing.
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