Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to border demarcation amid growing hostility

CHAMAN - Afghanistan and Pakistan's military authorities decided to determine geographical boundaries of their areas on Sunday amid volatile relationship.

The decision was made during the third flag meeting at Bab-e-Dosti border where Pakistani delegation was led by FC Commander North Sector Brigadier Nadeem Sohail and Afghanistan’s delegation was headed by Colonel Muhammad Sharif.

The meeting that followed two inconclusive flag meetings on Friday and Saturday was also attended by Pakistan and Afghanistan’s geological survey teams.

During the meeting, the geological experts mutually decided that survey of Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir would be conducted using Google and geological maps.

The participants of the meeting who held deliberations amid friction between the neighbours decided that after completion of the survey, a report would be sent to Islamabad and Kabul after which the decision to open the border will be made.

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

According to sources privy to the developments, Afghan authorities during the second meeting after the firing incident, were of the view that Killi Luqman and Killi Jahangir fell under their jurisdiction but Pakistani authorities said the areas were situated within the Pakistani territory which could be verified from Google maps.

Earlier in the day, Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Amir Riaz said that the 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.

Quite regrettably, over 50 Afghan soldiers were killed and more than 100 injured when Pakistan retaliated to Kabul ignited unprovoked firing and shelling by at Chaman border on Sunday.

The firing was in response to Friday's assault in which at least 11 people were martyred and 46 injured when Afghan border forces opened fire on Frontier Corps Balochistan soldiers deployed for security of census team near the Chaman border.

After the aggression by Pakistan's uneasy neighbor, people living in villages situated near the Chaman border relocated to safer places after authorities warned that it was no longer safe for them to stay.