Rawalpindi (May 17, 2017) : A “one Star Border Flag meeting” was held between representatives of Pakistan and Afghanistan at Friendship Gate, with both the sides agreeing to maintain ceasefire along the border till they hammer out a consensus.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), media wing of the Pakistan Army, Afghan delegation said Pakistani troops presently deployed along international Border in Kill Jahangir and Kill Luqman be moved out before proceedings for census.
Pakistani delegation, the ISPR said, maintained that Pakistani troops were deployed along the international Border on Pakistani side and will remain there.
Pakistani delegation led by DIG Frontier Corps Balochistan held the meeting with a delegation of Afghan Border police.
Last Week, 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 forces resorted to unprovoked fire at Torkham border hours after claiming 12 lives and leaving 46 wounded including civilians and Frontier Constabulary servicemen earlier in firing in Chaman on Friday but Pakistani forces replied in befitting manners that put their guns on silent.
Bab-e-Dosti among two border crossings were shut while Afghan chargé d affaires was lodged protest with in Islamabad by Foreign Office.
“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 had 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.
Related News:
Prime Minister strongly condemns Afghan forces firing in Chaman
Bab-e-Dosti remains closed as situation tense at Chaman border
