Unprovoked firing by Afghan border forces on Friday affected more than 2,000 families living near the Pak-Afghan border in Chaman, the director general of Balochistan's provincial disaster management authority (PDMA), Muhammad Tariq, said while addressing a press conference on Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Chaman Qaisar Khan said residents of villages located at the border had been instructed to evacuate.

"Announcements in mosques have been made and pamphlets have been distributed in this regard," the DC said.

19 PDMA trucks carrying relief goods had reached Chaman to ensure the provision of basic commodities, tents and blankets to the affected families, the DG PDMA said.

Relief goods worth Rs40 million were dispatched to the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman, he said.

"We can assure timely support to our brothers in this hour of trouble", the DG PDMA said.

He said the district administration had also been directed to assess the damages resulting from the firing by Afghan forces.

Mud-walled houses in particular had been severely damaged in Killi Luqman and Killi Jehangir when Afghan forces attacked FC personnel guarding census staff.

At least 12 people, including two Frontier Corps personnel, five children and three women were killed in the hostilities, which started in the early hours of Friday.

Opinion

Editorial

Digital gaps
Updated 17 Jul, 2025

Digital gaps

Digital technology affords Pakistan a unique opportunity to transform itself into a dynamic digital economy.
A grave matter
17 Jul, 2025

A grave matter

IT is a weighty issue, and one which many would not touch with a barge pole, primarily out of concern for...
Vaccine paradox
17 Jul, 2025

Vaccine paradox

PAKISTAN has recorded its highest-ever coverage of the DTP vaccine — protecting children against diphtheria,...
The next deluge
Updated 16 Jul, 2025

The next deluge

Pakistan, and others vulnerable to climatic extremes, must heed the warning before the next deluge arrives — because it surely will.
FC revamp
16 Jul, 2025

FC revamp

WHAT’S in a name? The civilian paramilitary force hitherto known as the Frontier Constabulary will continue to...
Simplified tax forms
16 Jul, 2025

Simplified tax forms

THE rollout of a new interactive tax return form should ease filing by simplifying the procedure, addressing a...