Six killed, 17 injured in Afghan Taliban attack on Chaman border

Afghan Taliban attacked a residential area at the Pak-Afghan Chaman border which killed six people and left 17 injured, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.

Pak army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) confirmed in its statement issued here on Sunday that Afghan Border Forces opened unprovoked and indiscriminate fire of heavy weapons including artillery and mortar onto the Civilian population in Chaman, Balochistan.

The ISPR said due to the indiscriminate firing of heavy weapons including artillery and mortar onto the civilian population in Chaman, six civilians were martyred and 17 injured.

The ISPR said Pakistani border troops have given a befitting albeit measured response against the uncalled-for aggression, but avoided targeting innocent civilians in the area.

The ISPR further stated that Pakistan has also approached Afghan authorities at Kabul to highlight the severity of the situation and demanded strict action to obviate any such recurrence of the incident in the future.

On the other hand, the channel reported that the Chaman district administration has imposed an emergency in all hospitals to treat injured persons.

While Levies Balochistan officials said that the Afghan Taliban made a target of the civilian area of Pakistan in which many innocent people were killed and injured badly.

The Levies Balochistan officials said the Afghan Taliban hit the Pakistani residential area with mortar shells.

AFP reported that the clash happened after Afghan forces tried to cut part of the fence on the border, according to a senior provincial government official who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.

There was no immediate comment from the Taliban administration in Kabul.

Thousands cross the border between Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, and Chaman, Pakistan, every day, including traders, Afghans seeking medical treatment in Pakistan, and people visiting relatives.

Last month, a gunman shot dead a Pakistan security guard at the Chaman border crossing, leading to its closure for a week.

Since the Taliban returned to power last year, border tensions between the neighbours have risen, with Pakistan alleging militant groups were planning attacks from Afghan soil.

The Taliban deny harbouring Pakistani militants, but are also infuriated by a fence Islamabad is putting up along the 2,700-kilometre border between the two countries.

Interior Minister shows concern

Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah expressed his concern over cross-border firing in the Pak-Afghan border town of Chaman.
He strongly condemned the attack on Pakistani citizens and requested the Balochistan government to provide full support and assistance to the injured people.
The minister expressed his condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured citizens.
He said details are being collected regarding the tragic incident as this incident is painful and regrettable.

Reporter: Najeeb-Ud-Din