Disputed villages on Afghan-Pak border surveyed

KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): Afghan and Pakistani technical teams have completed their joint geological study of two disputed villages on the Durand Line, but the survey’s result is not announced.

The two sides had agreed to conducting a geological survey of the two villages after negotiations that followed a deadly border skirmish last week.

The villages are situated in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province near the Durand Line.

Since the border clash that left at least nine civilians dead on both sides last Friday, the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing has been shut.

A Meshrano Jirga or Senate delegation, led by Senator Hashim Alokozai, arrived in Kandahar province on Thursday to investigate the border clash.

The Kandahar governor’s spokesman, Samim Khpalwak, told Pajhwok Afghan News that technical teams of the two countries had completed their surveys.

He said the results of the studies would be announced by Kabul and Islamabad.

He said security forces had taken positions in Luqman and Jehangir villages, but a truce had been accepted.

Khpalwak said the Meshrano Jirga delegation would travel to Spin Boldak district to investigate the issue.

Many were expecting on Thursday the Pakistani side would allow patients to enter the country via the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing, but it did not happen.

Haji Syed Ali, the Spin Boldak district chief, said the Pakistani side was expected to allow patients to cross the border on Thursday, but the border remained closed for a seventh day on Thursday.

Senator Hashim Alokozai told Pajhwok Afghan News that they would investigate the Spin Boldak issue as per decision of the upper house.

He said they would visit Luqman and Jehangir villages besides meeting families of soldiers who were killed and wounded in the border clash.

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