Afghan, Pakistani forces clash on border for three hours; three civilians killed, four injured in eastern Kunar province

The fighting first broke out on Sunday afternoon when Afghan forces and local militiamen tried to stop Pakistani forces from allegedly establishing a military installation along the disputed border, said Abdul Ghani Musamem, spokesperson for the governor of Kunar.

The Associated Press October 29, 2019 18:37:03 IST
Afghan, Pakistani forces clash on border for three hours; three civilians killed, four injured in eastern Kunar province
  • Afghan and Pakistani forces engaged in cross-border clashes for a second day, hours after Pakistani mortar and rocket fire into Afghanistan killed three women in eastern Kunar province

  • The fighting first broke out on Sunday afternoon when Afghan forces and local militiamen tried to stop Pakistani forces from allegedly establishing a military installation along the disputed border

  • Pakistani troops are currently building border fences in response to ongoing complaints by Afghanistan over cross-border movement, particularly by militants

Kabul: Afghan and Pakistani forces engaged in cross-border clashes for a second day, hours after Pakistani mortar and rocket fire into Afghanistan killed three women in eastern Kunar province, Afghan officials have said.

Afghan Pakistani forces clash on border for three hours three civilians killed four injured in eastern Kunar province

Representational image. AP

The fighting first broke out on Sunday afternoon when Afghan forces and local militiamen tried to stop Pakistani forces from allegedly establishing a military installation along the disputed border, said Abdul Ghani Musamem, spokesperson for the governor of Kunar.

He said the shooting lasted over three hours and also wounded four civilians in the remote Nari district, which lies along the border. He said communication with the area was difficult because of the isolated location.

Pakistani forces were again firing mortars down on villages inside Afghanistan after fighting resumed Monday morning, said Gen. Mohammad Ayub Hussainkhail, an Afghan commander for forces on the eastern border.

"Dozens of local people have displaced from the area," he said, adding that reinforcements had arrived in the Do Kalam area of Nari district. There was no immediate comment from Pakistan.

The two countries often trade accusations that each side is firing across the border, which runs for 2,400 kilometers (1,490 miles), much of it through mountainous terrain. The Taliban and other militant groups operate on both sides of the porous line.

Pakistani troops are currently building border fences in response to ongoing complaints by Afghanistan over cross-border movement, particularly by militants.

But Kabul remains deeply suspicious of Pakistan's motives. Islamabad had backed the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and until recently seemed unable or unwilling to go after militant leaders taking refuge inside its borders.

Afghanistan also disputes the exact path of the border, known as the Durand Line, which was drawn by the British in 1893 to mark the edge of their colonial possessions.

Updated Date:

also read

Unused mortal shell explodes in Pune, one person killed
India

Unused mortal shell explodes in Pune, one person killed

One person was killed and two others were injured when an unused mortar shell exploded at a scrap shop in Kondhwa area in Pune on Tuesday.

Indian forces 'well prepared' to contain ceasefire violations by Pakistan, says Subhash Bhamre
India

Indian forces 'well prepared' to contain ceasefire violations by Pakistan, says Subhash Bhamre

Amid heavy shelling by Pakistani forces on the border, union minister Subhash Bhamre said on Friday said Indian forces know "what to do" and are "well prepared" to contain any ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmir.

N Korea could become bargaining chip, warns Kim Jong-un at rocket firing drill
World

N Korea could become bargaining chip, warns Kim Jong-un at rocket firing drill

North Korea's Kim Jong-un has warned the reclusive communist country could become "a bargaining chip for the strong."