All efforts to keep peace on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have failed, as deadly skirmishes between Afghan and Pakistani armed troops continue. Tensions have risen along the border in the Balochistan province of Chaman.
Several civilians and security personnel on both sides were killed and injured in recent gun battles at the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing on December 11 and December 15. Meanwhile, Pakistan has blamed the border tensions on the Taliban.
At least one person was killed and 15 people were injured in violent battles between Pakistani and Afghan security personnel at the border in Chaman on Thursday. The violent skirmishes came four days after the Taliban “apologised” to Islamabad for the cross-border shelling that killed eight civilians on Sunday.
“Among the injured are innocent women and children,” ISPR said. According to Zahid Saleem, the Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary for Home and Tribal Affairs, at least one person was killed and 15 others were injured. Saleem claims five of those injured were in critical condition, and those who need intensive care were sent to the trauma centre at Quetta’s Civil Hospital.
According to the reports, an emergency has been declared at the government hospitals in Quetta and Chaman. In a tweet, the Taliban claimed that Pakistani soldiers had started fire and urged for a peaceful resolution through discussions.
