Two Pakistani civilians were killed and two others were injured on Wednesday when Afghan forces fired at them at the Chaman border gate. This incident occurred amidst a dispute between the two countries over illegal immigrants in Pakistan.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been increasing since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Pakistan accuses militants of using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, but Afghan authorities deny these allegations.
The tensions escalated further on Tuesday when Pakistan announced its plan to deport illegal immigrants from the country starting from November 1. This decision will affect over a million Afghan refugees who have been living in Pakistan for many years.
Chaman Deputy Commissioner Athar Abbas Raja
According to Chaman Deputy Commissioner Athar Abbas Raja, Afghan border guards opened fire indiscriminately at the Chaman border crossing, also known as Friendship Gate, causing a temporary halt in pedestrian movement.
The firing resulted in the death of a 12-year-old boy and a 70-year-old pedestrian, while two other civilians sustained injuries. They were transported to the District Headquarters Hospital in Chaman. Raja assured that Pakistani border forces are on alert and the situation is currently under control.
Friendship Gate
The deputy commissioner stated that the Friendship Gate is still open, and higher authorities have reported the issue to discuss with the Afghan government. The Pakistani army’s media wing also stated that Pakistani border forces showed restraint to protect innocent passengers at the border crossing.
They have approached Afghan authorities to find out why this irresponsible act occurred and to apprehend and hand over the culprit to Pakistani authorities. The army’s media wing also expects the Afghan government to control its troops and ensure they act responsibly to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Commissioner of Quetta
Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat, the commissioner of Quetta division, stated that Pakistan is ready for any backlash from Afghan forces. This is due to the government’s new policy of deporting illegal immigrants and permitting only those with valid passports and entry visas to enter Pakistan after November 1. Shafqaat also mentioned the enforcement of a new one-document policy for Afghan citizens entering Pakistan at the Pak-Afghan Chaman border.
Torkham Border
Clashes between the border forces of Afghanistan and Pakistan led to the closure of the Torkham border crossing for eight days last month. Another issue between the two countries is the Durand Line, a 2,640-kilometer demarcation established during British rule. Pakistan considers it the official border, while Afghanistan has historically rejected this.
Read more: Google Unveils Cutting-Edge Phone-Shaped Housing for Enhanced User Experience