RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army has repatriated a group of Afghan soldiers to the authorities of their country after they requested refuge and safe passage into Pakistan.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army handed over 46 Afghan soldiers, including five officers to Afghan govt authorities at Nawa Pass Bajaur along the Pak-Afghan border.
“Forty-six Afghan soldiers, including five officers, have been returned to Afghan authorities at Nawa Pass, Bajaur today [Tuesday] at 00:35 hours, Pakistan Standard Time,” said the Pakistan Army’s media wing in a statement.
These soldiers from the Afghan National Army and the Border Police were given safe passage into Pakistan, on their own request, by the Pakistan Army in Arundu Sector of Pak-Afghan border.
The ISPR said that after necessary clearance, the Afghan soldiers crossed into Pakistan with their weapons, ammunition and communication equipment.
“The said soldiers have now been amicably returned to the Afghan authorities on their request along with their weapons and equipment,” it added. “Pakistan will continue to extend all kinds of support to our Afghan brethren in time of need,” the Pakistan Army said.
On Sunday night, the Pakistan Army granted “refuge and safe passage” to these Afghan soldiers on their request after they failed to hold their military posts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The military’s press wing said the Afghan National Army (ANA) local commander had requested Pakistan Army for refuge and safe passage for 46 military men of the Afghan National Army and Border Police including five officers. It had said they had sought refuge after they were unable to hold their military posts due to the evolving security situation in Afghanistan.
