CHAMAN: People residing in Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir villages on the border with Afghanistan have started going back to their homes after fleeing as a result of cross-border clashes.
Around 5,000 people had reportedly left home after a surge of clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s security forces began on May 5.
As a result of increased tensions between the neighbouring countries, the border was also closed but later reopened on May 22 following “request of Afghan authorities”.
The clashes erupted after Afghan border forces fired on Frontier Corps Balochistan soldiers accompanying a census team in the border villages. Kabul, which does not recognise the international border between the two countries, said the villages are located on Afghan territory.
As many as 11 people were killed and 46 injured in the incident on the Pakistani side. Later, Pakistani officials said dozens of Afghan police personnel were killed in retaliatory fire but the figure was dismissed by the Afghan ambassador in Pakistan.
Once the border was reopened, the Pakistan Army’s media wing said “After the Chaman incident, Pakistan has its area under effective control having pushed back Afghan border police troops”.
The census process has been completed on the Pakistani side and it has been agreed upon by Pakistani authorities that the ceasefire shall be maintained and no border violation will be acceptable, the statement added.
Pakistani troops will maintain its positions along the international border in Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir villages on the Pakistani side of the border, it was stated further.
At present, demarcation of the villages has been conducted, with barbed wires erected and check posts established on the ‘zero line’.
