Daily Times

QUETTA: The four-kilometer zone adjacent to Chaman border has been declared no-go area by the Pakistan Army as tension continues on the third day on Sunday after Afghan forces opened unprovoked firing on Frontier Corps (FC) personnel appointed for security of population census team early Friday.

According to details, Bab-e-Dosti remained closed along with other markets. All private activities including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) supply line and Afghan transit trade were suspended. Pedestrian movement has also been banned in the no-go area.

Pakistan Army is on high alert to respond to any aggression shown by Afghan forces. Tanks and heavy artillery are ready at the front. Army is also monitoring the area with helicopters.

Camps have been installed five kilometers away from the border for the locals of several villages who have evacuated their homes. The security forces are providing every possible facility to the people in these temporary accommodations.

It is pertinent here to mention that at least ten people including three children and two women were killed by Afghan forces’ unprovoked firing near a major border crossing where Pakistani census officials were carrying out a count.

Also, 46 others were injured in the firing and shelling, including FC officers who were deployed for security of census officials. Afghan authorities were informed prior to the population census.