"The border will remain closed till Afghanistan changes its behaviour," Lieutenant General Riaz said. The general visited those injured in the attack at the Chaman Civil Hospital. Inspector General FC Balochistan Major General Nadeem Ahmed said on Sunday that over 50 personnel of the Afghan forces were killed, while more than 100 were injured when Pakistani forces retaliated to their firing and shelling.
"We are not pleased to announce this but the Afghan commanders are responsible for this," he said while briefing the media on the Chaman border firing issue. "We had informed them about our census activity." He added they carried out census in the areas that are situated within the Pakistani border. While talking about the Afghan forces' attack, the IG said census had been carried out in Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir for four days until April 29 when they started to hinder the process. "But we restrained so that peace is not disrupted."
The next day a meeting between border forces was held where the Afghan authorities told their Pakistani counterparts to resume the census process after three to four days. "We informed them, but our positive attitude was misused," he said. "The Afghan forces entered villages on Pakistan's side and used locals as human shields so that they could make a position for attacks." However, on May 4 the Frontier Corps personnel started the operation and by May 5, got hold of their areas back. "We could have done this earlier, but we knew civilians reside in the villages on the border." He said on Afghan request ceasefire was ordered on May 5.
Major General Nadeem Ahmad said the enemy should not under estimate Pakistan's strength and made it clear that no one will be allowed to enter Pakistani territory. He said they used light weapons but warned that any further firing by Afghan forces will be responded with heavy weapons. He made it clear that there could be no debate on international border. He said the political leadership of Pakistan has come out with statement of an understanding between India and Afghanistan to create problems for Pakistan. The FC chief said he was thankful to the tribal people of Chaman as they were ready to help; and they also donated blood.
AFP adds:"We are not pleased to tell you that five Afghan check posts were completely destroyed - more than 50 of their soldiers were killed and above 100 were wounded," Major General Nadim Ahmad, head of the paramilitary Frontier Corps told reporters. "We are not happy for their losses but we were forced to retaliate," he said, adding two Pakistani soldiers were killed and nine wounded in the incident. Kabul quickly denied the claim.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2017