By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan on Friday closed a key border crossing into Afghanistan after it accused the Afghan forces of targeting its troops and civilians, killing at least one and injuring another 18.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan’s military, the Afghan border police opened fire at troops, who were providing security to the census staff in southwestern Chaman town, which borders southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan.
The unprovoked firing resulted in the death of a woman, and injuries to 18, including four paramilitary troops, it said.
Pakistan army responded effectively to the Afghan forces firing, the statement added.
Already tense ties between the two neighbors have hit a low ebb in recent months following terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, for which the two sides blame each other.
On Feb. 17, Pakistan unilaterally closed its border with Afghanistan, commonly known as the Durand Line, “due to security reasons” following a spate of terror attacks -- including a suicide bombing at a Sufi shrine in southern Pakistani town of Sehwan that left 90 people dead.
The border was reopened after a month in March.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share 18 crossing points -- the most commonly used ones are Torkham and Chaman.
Afghanistan does not recognize the Durand Line -- a 2,640-kilometer (1,640-mile) long border, which was established in 1893 in line with an agreement between India under British colonial rule, and Abdur Rahman Khan, the then ruler of Afghanistan.