Af-Pak elders to meet on de-escalating tensions

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Afghanand Pakistani will meet next week to work out a joint mechanism to de-escalate border tensions between the neighbours.

Tribal elders from southeastern Khost province and Pakistan’s tribal region of Parachinarm as well as senior military commanders will attend the meeting on Sunday.

The decision came at a jirga in lower Kurram on Tuesday. Political Agent Baseer Khan, Commander 73 Brigade Brig Akhtar Haleem, lawmaker Sajid Hussain Turi and elders of various tribes participated in the jirga.

According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the jirga voiced its concern over a recent skirmish on the Durand Line. Five Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded in the clash.

Bodies of the Frontier Corps personnel were returned after negotiations between elders. The clash was followed by a flag meeting between Afghan and Pakistani security officials.

Elders demanded demarcation of the frontier on the Kurram side of the Durand Line to avoid confrontation. They said proper demarcation and fencing were in the interest of the two countries.

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