Two Pakistani citizens martyred in ‘unprovoked’ firing by Afghan soldier: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: An Afghan sentry employed at the Chaman border crossing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Wednesday opened unprovoked and indiscriminate firing at pedestrians moving from Pakistan to Afghanistan, resulting in the death of two Pakistani citizens.

According to the Pakistan Army’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident occurred at the outbound gate located on the zero line. Resultantly, two innocent Pakistani citizens including a 12-year-old child embraced Shahadat, while another child was injured, the ISPR said.

Pakistani troops exercised extreme restraint and avoided any exchange of fire in the presence of innocent passengers to avoid collateral damage, the ISPR said.

The bodies of the deceased have been shifted to the district headquarters hospital Chaman and the injured child, who was immediately evacuated by security forces, is under treatment, the ISPR said.

Afghan authorities have been approached to inquire about such irresponsible and reckless acts, apprehend and hand over the culprit to Pakistani authorities.

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“The IAG is also expected to exercise control over its troops and impart discipline to act responsibly in order to avoid the recurrence of such incidents in the future.”

Pakistan remains committed to contributing towards peace, prosperity and development through positive and constructive bilateral relations, however, such unpleasant occurrences have the potential to harm the sincere intent and purpose, the ISPR said.