10 Pakistani citizens killed, 46 injured in cross border Afghan shelling in Chaman

CHAMAN:  As many as 10 Pakistani citizens were killed and 46 others including four paramilitary soldiers injured as Afghan border police targeted personnel of the Frontier Corps deployed for security of population census team in Balochistan's Chaman area, officials said on Friday. 

"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," the ISPR said in a statement.

"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. Exchange of fire continues. Chaman crossing closed," the statement said.

According to Geo News, the injured were being shifted to Quetta through Ambulances of the Women and children were also among the injured. Provincial officials said emergency has been declared in all the medical facilities.

Earlier this week Afghan President Ashraf Ghani rejected Pakistan’s invitation to visit Islamabad.

He linked his Pakistan visit with extradition of ‘Afghan Taliban hiding in Islamabad involved in attacks in Kabul and Kandahar’.

He demanded of the Pakistani authorities to take practical action against the ‘Afghan Taliban using Pakistani soil against Afghanistan’.

Pakistan has always denied these allegations, saying its soil was not being used against any country including, Afghanistan.

Pakistan summons Afghan Charge d' Affairs 

The Afghan Charge d' Affairs was summoned to the Foreign Office  to lodge Pakistan's strong protest over the unprovoked firing by the Afghan forces in Chaman area, which killed at least 10 people and injured many others  including women and children.

According to Foreign Office statement, the Afghan Charge d' Affairs was conveyed that Pakistani authorities were undertaking the population census and this information had been shared with Afghan government earlier.

The unprovoked firing from the Afghan side not only led to the loss of precious lives and injured many, but has also disrupted the census in areas on the Pakistan side of the border and caused damage to properties.

"We urge the Afghan government to take immediate steps to bring an end the unprovoked firing from the Afghan side. Action should also be taken against those who are responsible for this violation".