Pakistan, Afghanistan form 'high-level' committee to probe Chaman attack

Kabul expresses concern and hopes to hold the perpetrator accountable

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to form a high-level committee to find the culprits responsible for killing Pakistani security forces at Chaman's Spin Boldak checkpoint.

The Chaman border – also known as Friendship Gate –, which connects Balochistan province to Afghanistan's Kandahar province, was closed after an armed Afghan reportedly crossed onto Pakistan's side of the border and opened fire on security troops, martyring a soldier and injuring another two on Sunday.

Following the attack, Kabul expressed concern regarding the deaths.

Sources from within Kabul confirmed to The Express Tribune that Afghanistan has begun investigating the incident and hoped to hold the offender accountable.

The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan termed the event sad and reportedly assigned a high level delegation to probe the incident and find the perpetrator.

The culprit currently remains at large.

Read Levies official martyred in attack on polio workers

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Monday remained closed for the second consecutive day as tensions run high between the two countries after unprovoked firing from the Afghan side.

The attack was followed by hours-long firing between Pakistani and Afghan border troops, prompting the closure of the key trade border between the two neighbours.

Meanwhile, Pakistan beefed up security measures in the aftermath of the firing incident as the border remained closed and all pedestrians' movement and business activities were suspended.

"The border was closed after the untoward incident," Abdul Hameed Zehri, Deputy Commissioner Chaman, told The Express Tribune via telephone. He said security has been tightened in the aftermath of the firing incident at the border.

A flag meeting was held between Pakistan and Afghan officials to discuss issues relating to the border.

However, no progress was made with regard to the reopening of the border.