Pakistan asks Afghanistan to probe unprovoked firing at Torkham

Pakistan has expressed deep concern over reports of unprovoked firing from Afghan side of the border near Torkham, expecting the Afghan government to immediately investigate the violation.

According to a PM Office spokesperson on Sunday, the government has expressed deep concern about the security of Pakistani soldiers near the border, in relation to the reports of unprovoked firing by Afghanistan’s security forces.

“We consider these unprovoked attacks unhelpful in Pak-Afghan relations  and expect from the Afghan government to investigate this incident  immediately, added the spokesman.

Tension simmered at Torkham border crossing when a trade of fire erupted after Afghan forces opened cross-border fire over the contentious fencing issue.

“Afghan Security forces resorted to unprovoked firing on Pakistani side at Torkham Gate. A Pakistani soldier was injured due to Afghan firing,” said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The incident occurred at Shamshad mountain, near the border crossing, an official said.

The ISPR statement adds that, in order to check movement of terrorists through Torkham, Pakistan is constructing a gate on own side of the border as a necessity to check unwanted and illegal movement.

Earlier in May, the Torkham border crossing was reopened after Pakistan and Afghanistan reached an understanding to reopen it.

The decision to reopen the border crossing was made at a meeting between Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal.

The previously unscheduled meeting was arranged as old irritants in the bilateral relationship — rows over border management and terrorism concerns — resurfaced ahead of the upcoming meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group, a four-nation initiative for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Pakistan had closed the border crossing after Afghan authorities, who do not recognise the Durand Line as an international border, reacted to an attempt to fence the crossing for “controlling unauthorised cross-border movements”.

The move left thousands of people stranded on both sides of the border, be¬sides halting the movement of cargo vehicles.