QUETTA: The death toll in Chaman border shelling by Afghan forces rose to eight as a 10-year-old boy succumbed to his wounds at Civil Hospital Quetta, hospital officials confirmed to Dawn on Monday.

The boy, who remained unidentified, was shifted to Quetta along with 11 others who had sustained injuries. One of them, who was in a very critical condition, also died, Dr Wasim Baig, spokes­­man for the Sandeman Civil Hospital Quetta told Dawn. He said 10 injured victims, including 10-year-old Bibi Rahila, were under treatment at the hospital.

Despite the Sunday evening shelling by the Afghan forces, the Friendship Gate at Pak-Afghan border opened in the morning and people from both sides continued to cross into their respective countries after showing required traveling documents.

“Border as usual re­­mained open throughout the day and trucks carrying Afghan transit trade and import export goods were crossing into Afghanistan

and Pakistan,” a senior official of Pakistan Customs said, adding that the border had remained closed for some time on Sunday after the Afghan forces attacked the civilian settlements along the border.

Sources said Pakistan beefed up security at the border. “The situation is now normal and calm at the border,” Niamatullah Sarhadi, a journalist working for foreign media, told Dawn. He claimed the bodies were taken to different parts of Chaman for burial.

Meanwhile, officials identified seven of the victims as Mohammad Raza, Abdullah, Niamatullah, Abdul Wahid, Niamatullah, son of Haji Ghani, Gul Mohammad and Abdul Rahim.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2022