News Analysis |
Afghani tribesmen have handed over the mortal remains of the five Pakistani soldiers of the Frontier Corps (FC), as well as an injured soldier, to Pakistani tribal elders. According to the Governor of Afghanistan’s Khost Province, a soldier and the bodies of the five martyred personnel were handed over to Pakistan.
Amid the deadly ambush between the two sides, talks are continuing to de-escalate the tension along the border. Reportedly, Afghan officials have asked their Pakistani counterparts to erect fence five meters inside the demarcation line.
It is believed that Afghan border forces were supported by the local tribesmen who attacked the FC soldiers. Reportedly, heavy firing took place in the area, over alleged fencing within five meters of Afghan borderline. Afghanistan official alleged that Pakistani troops had entered the Afghan border which led to this deadly crossfire between frontier corps and local tribal forces.
This incident is not an isolated one. It is connected to the dispute between the countries. Apparently, unhappy over the fencing project, Afghans make these false claims to disrupt the process of fencing.
Pakistani troops are busy in fencing the area at Laka Toga post in Lower Kurram Agency. Bordering Zazi Maidan district of Khost is under the control of Zazi tribe of Afghanistan.
Reports suggest that ten tribesmen of Zazi tribe, who attacked the Pakistani soldiers, were killed in the clash. While twelve wounded Pakistan soldiers are under treatment in the Thall Garrison hospital. Mosques in the Kurrum agency made announcements urging locals to assist the FC soldiers.
Hundreds of Pakistani tribesmen reached the location [to support Pakistani troops], where the incident took place but were called back after military officials from both sides held a flag meeting to hold the ceasefire.
Read more: America’s Waterloo: ‘Scapegoating’ Pakistan for Failures in Afghanistan
Pakistan aims to fence the 92% of its 2,500-kilometer largely porous border with Afghanistan by the end of this year. The total cost of the project is estimated to be about $550 million.
Pakistani security forces reached a conclusion that Afghan soil was used for most of the terrorist-related incidents which took place in Pakistan. Simultaneously, on many occasions, the Afghan government, and US officials have also blamed Pakistan militant incursions from Pakistani soil into Afghanistan.
Pakistani troops are busy in fencing the area at Laka Toga post in Lower Kurram Agency. Bordering Zazi Maidan district of Khost is under the control of Zazi tribe of Afghanistan.
Both countries have raised fingers at each other in connection with terrorist attacks. Pakistani Army after an investigation into the matter concluded that planners of deadly attacks were based in Afghanistan.
In the initial phase, Pakistan is covering the area which is identified as highly prone to infiltration. From the start, Afghanistan has raised serious reservations over the construction of pair of nine-foot wire fences, topped with barbed wire, placed at the gap of six-foot from each other.
Read more: Afghanistan – A view from Pakistan
Afghanistan Government doesn’t recognize the border drawn up under the British Raj and believes that fencing project will only divide the families into both sides of the border. Pakistan has rejected the Afghan claims to restore peace and prosperity in the region and has handed over the proofs of cross-border campaigns of insurgents from Afghan soil.
This incident is not an isolated one. It is connected to the dispute between the countries. Apparently, unhappy over the fencing project, Afghans make these false claims to disrupt the process of fencing.
Moreover, it is pertinent to mention here that border on Kurrum side [where the incident took place] is properly demarcated and there is no dispute between the countries.