Pakistan army says it is constructing a gate on its own side of the border as a necessary measure to check for unwanted and illegal movement. He accused the Pakistani side of initiating the firing and said Afghan forces were now responding.
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Seddique Mateen, who is believed to have moved from Afghanistan to the United States some three decades ago, said Afghan security forces were battling Pakistan’s intelligence service, known by its acronym ISI, at the border.
Pakistan officials maintain that the unprovoked firing from Afghan forces is disrupting border management efforts by Pakistan Army.Pakistani troops also fired heavy artillery at Afghan forces at their main Khyber Pass border crossing, the military said.
The fighting, which began Sunday night and resumed Monday, forced the closing of the Torkham border crossing, the busiest between the two countries.
The foreign secretary rejected allegations from Afghanistan that the construction of the gate by Pakistan was in violation of the agreements and understandings reached between the two countries. Over two dozen border guards from both sides have been wounded so far in the shootouts.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also paid a tribute to Khan, saying he sacrificed his life in defense of his country.
Afghan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah (who shares executive power with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani) has also blamed Pakistan for attempting to build installations on the border in alleged violation of mutual agreements and global norms.
Meanwhile, the Afghan forces again opened fire on Pakistani security officials on Tuesday evening, injuring two FC personnel. The Afghan border police officer’s body was flown to Kabul, the Afghan capital. General Asim Bajaw told reporters that both sides had made contact on diplomatic, political and military levels to de-escalate the border clashes.
Between 1,000 and 2,000 travelers with visas have been entering Pakistan daily from Afghanistan, down from the 15,000 to 25,000 who crossed via Torkham previously, according to officials.
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Previously, thousands of Afghans used to visit Pakistan each day – visa-free – for medical treatment, commercial purposes or study.
