IGFC says Pakistan capable of defending its borders

Survey teams of Pakistan, Afghanistan complete geological survey of two Chaman villages.

QUETTA: Praising the soldiers who befittingly responded to the unprovoked firing into Chaman by Afghan forces, the Inspector General of the Frontier Corps, Balochistan has said that Pakistan is capable of defending its borders.

“Afghan forces targeted our civilian population that forced us to strike back with more power which compelled Afghan soldiers to left their check-points,” IGFC Maj Gen Nadeem Anjum said on Wednesday while visiting zero-line at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.



“Pakistan is capable of defending its borders and our soldiers showed bravery after the Afghan border guards’ attack last Friday,” Maj Gen Anjum added.

At least 12 people, including women, children and an FC man, were killed and 47 injured when Afghan forces targeted Pakistani troops guarding a census team.

The incident occurred in the Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir villages of Chaman, which straddle the border and have been a source of controversy between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Kabul claims the villages are part of the war-torn country’s Spin Boldak district -- an assertion Pakistan flatly denies.

In the retaliatory fire, Pakistani forces killed 50 Afghan soldiers and border security personnel and injured more than 100 troops, besides destroying five Afghan check posts. The Afghan ambassador had, however, contested the claim and said only two Afghan troops were killed.

The FC chief applauded the courage of the FC and border security forces and said: “Our force showed bravery against Afghan ambush and they fought on frontline to protect Pakistani citizens.”

He expressed regret over the loss of innocent lives and announced that the FC would provide medical assistant to the injured and quality education to the children of the martyrs. On the occasion, he announced cash compensation and jobs for family members of the martyrs.



Showing respect for the tribal people living along the borders, Maj Gen Anjum said these tribes had always given sacrifices for the protection of Pakistan and supported the Pakistan Army in all situations.

Survey teams complete reports

Meanwhile, survey teams of Pakistan and Afghanistan – headed by military officials of the two countries – have completed geological survey of Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir and sent reports to their respective governments.

“We have completed geological survey of both villages along with the Afghan survey team,” a security official said on Wednesday.

The survey teams were constituted on May 7 during a flag meeting of officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan at Chaman’s Friendship Gate as a difference was noticed between the maps of the villages as maintained by the border officials of the two neighbouring countries.



The official said Islamabad and Kabul will take the final decision after reviewing the survey reports, dispatched to both governments. “The experts and military officials from both sides, who conducted the survey, have prepared their separate reports,” he added.

He said the decision about the reopening of Chaman border will be taken after resolving the issue of the two villages. The Chaman border crossing has been closed since the incident, with thousands of people stranded on both sides of the border.