50 Afghan soldiers killed in retaliatory fire to Chaman border attack: IG FC

QUETTA: A top Frontier Constabulary official on Sunday said that Afghan forces opened unprovoked and indiscriminate firing on the Chaman border on May 5 and attempted to occupy civilian houses.

Briefing media over the incident, Inspector General Frontier Constabulary Major Gen. Nadeem Afzal said that Pakistan Army gave a befitting reply and delivered heavy losses to Afghan forces.

Pakistan Army and FC launched a counter operation at the border area and vacated the area completely on May 5 destroying five Afghan border check posts. More than 50 Afghan soldiers were killed and more than 100 were injured in the operation.

IG FC said Pakistan Army also ensured not to use any heavy weapons at the border, and ultimately stop firing and agreed to a ceasefire at the request of Afghan forces. He vowed that any territorial violations or escalations will not be tolerated.

Expressing regret at the losses suffered by the Afghan forces, IG FC said that blame completely lies on the Afghan forces and is result of the nexus between New Delhi and Kabul. He said that Afghan officials were ill-advised and hoped that those present in Kabul and Kandahar would ensure that their orders are implemented till the lowest level.

He said that Pakistan has helped Afghanistan in several situations, but still faced a similar attitude from Afghan officials. He said that the Bab-e-Dosti border at Chaman would remain closed indefinitely till the change in attitude by the Afghan government.

He said that Pakistan forces had secured the border area, as the sovereignty and integrity of the country is their foremost priority. The operation led to the martyrdom of two Pakistani soldiers and nineteen others were injured.

IG FC said that census was held in the area for two days under army supervision, but Afghan forces attempted to thwart the census process. He said that Afghan forces and locals were informed two days prior that the census would be held there.

He confirmed that ten civilians including women and children were killed in the initial attack. He said that food and other supplies have been delivered to Chaman, while normal travel of resident is ongoing.

The situation remains tense at the border town even three days after the attack. Pakistan Army has vacated the area and shifted hundreds of residents to safer locations in nearby towns and villages.

Furthermore, troops have been deployed to control the situation along the border, while aerial surveillance is also being conducted of Chaman town and nearby area.