CHAMAN: Two men and a woman got killed, twenty wounded when a large number of Afghans, converged at the Pakistan side of the Friendship Gate border crossing to go to Afghanistan were not allowed to cross the border, transformed into an unruly mob and attacked the law enforcers here yesterday (30th of July, 2020).
Meanwhile, a heavy exchange of fire also took place between Pakistani and Afghan security forces. It may be noted that the Friendship Gate, that remained closed for many weeks for pedestrian movement, was reopened on Wednesday (29th of July, 2020) facilitating people from both sides of the border go to their homeland in order to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha.
When the FC officials told the mob that the door would not be opened unless the crowd moved back, the mob became violent and torched the Nadra and FC offices. They also attacked the quarantine centre established in containers.
FC personnel fired bullets in the air to disperse the mob who also reciprocated by firing back. The mob also forced traders to shut the shops and shopping malls until their demand apropos opening of the Friendship Gate, was met. The heavy exchange of fire between Pak and afghan forces continued till filing of this piece.
Speaking about the incident Provincial Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove claimed at a Presser held here today that some miscreants provoked the crowd and the incident was being investigated. Balochistan Home Minister said that Provincial Govt. would take decisions in the interest of the people and the country.
“If there is tension across the border, we will respond to it. We will investigate the incident from different angles and action would be taken against those responsible for violence,” he stated.
“We will not allow infiltration or aggression. The enemy is sitting across the border and spending billions of dollars to disturb peace of Pakistan. We are keeping an eye on threats of terrorism and steps are being taken to curb them,” Provincial Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove added.
Afghanistan, that has put its ground and air forces on alert, claimed that cross-border artillery fire by Pakistani forces had killed their fifteen civilians: “If the Pakistani military continues its rocket attacks on Afghan territory, they will face retaliation by the Afghan army,” Afghan defense ministry warned.
Pakistani Foreign Office stated that the Afghan forces had opened unprovoked fire on civilians converged at Pakistan’s side of the Friendship Gate border crossing here killing and injuring many. FO held that Pakistani troops responded to the Afghan fire only in self-defense: “It is reiterated that Pakistan Force did not open fire first and responded in self-defense only.”
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