QUETTA: Teams headed by military officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan completed a geographical survey of two villages located close to the Pak-Afghan border on Wednesday and dispatched their reports to their respective governments.

“We have completed a geographical survey of both villages, Killi Luqman and Killi Jhangir, along with an Afghan survey team,” a security official said, adding that Islamabad and Kabul would take the final decision after reviewing the reports.

The decision to reopen the Chaman border will be taken after resolving the issue of both villages made controversial after Afghan forces opened fire while a census was under way there.

FC chief meets officers and soldiers on border, praises their courage

The attack had claimed 12 lives and injured 40 others.

Sources disclosed that Pakistan’s side had used Google maps to show that both villages were located in Pakistan and that the claim of the Afghan authorities was wrong.

“Google maps proved that not only did the two villages belong to Pakistan but also pointed out more area, which is presently under the control of the Afghan government, as part of Pakistan,” sources claimed.

Meanwhile, Major General Nadeem Anjum, the Inspector General of the Frontier Corps, Balochistan, visited Chaman where he did rounds of the border where troops were deployed following the attack last Friday. He met soldiers and officers at the border and lauded their courage.

Speaking at the Zero Point of the Pak-Afghan border, he said, “Pakistan is capable of defending its borders and our borders’ soldiers showed bravery after the Afghan border guards’ attack last Friday.”

“Afghan forces targeted our civilian population that forced us to strike back with more power and compelled Afghan soldiers to abandon their checkpoints,” Maj Gen Anjum said.

He said the troops had shown courage in the face of an Afghan ambush and fought at the frontline to protect Pakistani citizens.

He also expressed regret at the loss of innocent lives and announced that the Frontier Corps would provide medical assistant to the injured and quality education to the children of martyrs.

Expressing deference to the tribal people living along the border, the IG said, “Tribes along Chaman have always made sacrifices for the protection of Pakistan and have supported Pakistan Army in every emergency.” He then announced cash compensation and jobs for the martyrs’ families.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2017