CHAMAN: Chaman border crossing, Bab-e-Dosti has been partially reopened for women, children and sick people on the eighth day following the attack of Afghan forces on Pakistan’s census team.
The census activities are continuing in Chaman except for Kili Luqman, Kili Jahangir and other villages bordering Afghanistan whereas the locals are forced to live in the temporary camps built five kilometres away from the border.
Sources are reported to have said that North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) supply line, Afghan transit trade and pedestrian locomotion between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to remain suspended.
Furthermore, troops of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps (FC) are on high alert to respond to any aggression shown by Afghan forces.
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 the 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 the 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.
