PESHAWAR, Dec 27: Mining of areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to check the alleged infiltration of terrorists would increase civilian casualties, and the government should opt for alternative security measures like surveillance through advanced satellite system.

This was stated by Raza Shah Khan, executive director of the Sustainable Peace and Development Organisation (Spado), while speaking at a media orientation workshop held here on Wednesday.

"We fear that innocent people will lose their lives or get disabled if areas along the border are mined,” he said, adding: “We are seriously disappointed at the government decision.”

"We are not against fencing, but placing mines along the border is not the only way to solve the problem," said the chief of Spado, which is the Pakistan chapter of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

Quoting the Landmine Monitor Report 2006 prepared by Spado, he said the number of landmine victims stood between 15,000 and 20,000.

He said in 2005, there were at least 214 casualties from mines. As of May 14, 2006, the number of casualties rose to 263, he added.

“The mine victims have mostly been innocent civilians and non-combatants,” he said.

About 1,000 victims were maimed in Bajaur Agency alone by the mines planted during the Afghan war to stop infiltration, he said.

Mr Khan said 68 casualties were reported in Balochistan in the month of December, mainly due to rising tension in the province.

“Already, there are thousands of landmine victims, including women and children, in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, and plantation of new mines in these areas would cause further chaos among the local population,” he pointed out.

“The anti-personnel mines are a 'silent killer' which can remain dormant for many, many years,” he said.

He urged the government to use alternative methods -- like active surveillance through advanced satellite system and aircraft -- to check cross-border movements.

The governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan should establish friendly relations through the involvement of civil society, he said.