Decision to reopen Chaman border expected within two days
Bab-e-Dosti has been partially reopened for the women, children and sick people.
CHAMAN (Dunya News) – Normalcy is returning to Chaman after the attack of Afghan forces on Pakistan’s census team as decision to reopen Bab-e-Dosti is expected within two days.
The census activities are continuing in the area except Kili Luqman, Kili Jahangir and other villages bordering Afghanistan whereas the locals are forced to live in the temporary camps built five kilometers away from the border.
Bab-e-Dosti has been partially reopened for the women, children and sick people while North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) supply line, Afghan transit trade and pedestrian locomotion between Pakistan and Afghanistan, all are still suspended.
Furthermore, troops of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps (FC) are on alert to respond to any aggression shown by Afghan forces.
Earlier, two-star military authorities of United States Resolute Support Mission, Afghanistan and Pakistan convened a meeting in General Headquarters (GHQ) and deliberated over measures to effectively manage borders and put an end to cross-border firing.
“The delegations were led by Afghan DGMO Major General Habib Hesari and Resolute Support Mission’s Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Major General Christopher Haas. Pakistan was represented by DGMO Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza,” ISPR reported.
On May 5, at least ten civilians including three children and two women were killed and 46 others injured in unprovoked firing and shelling by Afghan forces near a major border crossing where Pakistani census officials were carrying out a count.
“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.
