Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to border demarcation in flag meeting

CHAMAN: Afghanistan and Pakistan military authorities have decided to determine geographical boundaries of their areas during the third flag meeting at Bab-e-Dosti border on Sunday.

The Pakistani delegation was led by FC Commander North Sector Brigadier Nadeem Sohail and Afghanistan’s delegation was headed by Colonel Muhammad Sharif.

The meeting was also attended by Pakistan and Afghanistan’s geological survey teams.

During the meeting, the geological experts decided that survey of Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir will be conducted. They mutually agreed upon using Google and geological maps to conduct the survey.

The survey of the areas has already started and will be completed in two to three days.

After the survey is completed, a report will be sent to Islamabad and Kabul. The decision to open the border will also be made once the survey is completed, decided the meeting participants.

The meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, also discussed other issues pertaining to the Pakistan and Afghanistan border.

Read more: Army destroys five Afghan posts after forces attempt to enter Pakistan

Earlier in the day, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Amir Riaz said that the PakistaChaman firing: Pak, Afghan authorities moot over control of border areasn army had to destroy four to five Afghan posts after Afghan forces attempted to enter Pakistan.

"Anyone who tries to make Pakistan's territory disputed will face similar consequences," Lt. General Riaz said while speaking to media outlets in Chaman.

Over 50 Afghan soldiers were killed and more than 100 injured when Pakistan retaliated to unprovoked firing and shelling by Afghan forces at Chaman border, Balochistan Frontier Corps Inspector General Major General Nadeem Ahmed said on Sunday. 

Read more: Chaman firing: Pak, Afghan authorities moot over control of border areas

On Saturday, Pakistani and Afghan authorities mooted over the control of areas — Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir — affected during firing and shelling by Afghan forces on Friday, which ended in a stalemate. 

During the second meeting after the firing incident at the border, Afghan authorities were of the view that Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir fell under their jurisdiction, sources said. But Pakistani authorities said the areas were situated within the Pakistani territory which could be verified from Google maps.

At least 11 people were martyred and 46 injured early Friday when Afghan border forces opened fire on Frontier Corps Balochistan soldiers deployed for security of census team near the Chaman border.

Read more: Chaman firing: Residents asked to immediately vacate border villages

In response to the firing, people living in villages situated near the Chaman border started to move out to safer places after authorities advised it was no longer safe for them to stay.

According to relevant officials, nearly 10,000 locals have left their houses so far. There are around 8-10 villages situated on the border belt; according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, 2,000 homes were affected by the shelling and firing. PDMA also distributed relief goods among the affected people

The Bab-e-Dosti gate situated on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Chaman remained closed on the third day following the firing incident.

Pakistan Army and FC personnel were deployed at the border to monitor the situation and also stop people from crossing the border. Even trucks carrying goods are not being allowed to cross the border.