CHAMAN: The Pak-Afghan border at Chaman is still closed for trade for the third day after an armed man from the Afghan side opened fire on Pakistani security personnel at Friendship Gate, resulting in the martyrdom of one soldier and leaving two others wounded.
A Frontier Corps (FC) soldier embraced martyrdom on November 13 and two more sustained injuries in the midst of a cross-border attack, following which Pakistani authorities halted trade operations.
In a statement, Levies officials said: “Bilateral trade, foot traffic, and immigration system at the border has been suspended for the third day.”
They further mentioned that the terrorist who carried out the shooting did it while wearing a Taliban official’s uniform. “The person is still being sought after.”
According to Abdul Hameed Zehri, Deputy Commissioner of the town of Chaman, which is adjacent to the Afghan district of Spin Boldak, Pakistanis who are imprisoned in Afghanistan are being permitted to enter the nation after having their identification documents examined.
“High-level talks are being held to discuss the problems at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and a flag meeting is expected today between both sides,” the DC said, noting that the border would remain closed till the person responsible for the unfortunate incident is handed over to the Pakistani authorities.
The DC added that areas nearby the border as well as the district’s hospital have been put on high alert.
Earlier, Pakistan border authorities summoned a flagship meeting of the Afghan forces and demanded that the armed man, who had fired at the Pakistani security personnel, be handed over to the Pakistani authorities, “the negotiations remained fruitless as Afghan officials refused to hand over the man involved in the firing”, official sources said.
The exchange of fire resumed in the late evening, which continued for some time, according to reports, as officials said the firing continued at the border area with small intervals.
DC Zehri said: “Border with Afghanistan would not be opened until the handing over of the armed man who is responsible for firing at and killing of Pakistani soldier.”
The soldier of Frontier Corps, who embraced martyrdom, was identified as Rehmatullah. His funeral prayer was offered at FC headquarters, Chaman, before his body was dispatched to his native town.
