Pakistan digging trenches near Afghan border

KABUL to check what they call cross-border incursions, a news report said on Thursday.

Roughly 235 kilometres of the trenches have been dug up and the remainder could be completed by October 30, The Express Tribune reported, saying Rs260 million had been spent on the project so far.

Col. Faheem Babar, commandant of Qila Saifullah Scouts, told the newspapers:  “We want to check incursions of terrorists and smugglers into Pakistan and the trenches will help control the situation along the border.”

Troops from Zhob militia, Qila Saifullah Scouts, Naushki militia, Taftan Rifles, Makran Scouts and Dalbandin Rifles are involved in digging the trenches, each eight feet deep and 10 feet wide.

At least 70 excavators, dumpers and other heavy machines are being used. One Frontier Constabulary official said up to 70 terrorists intruded into Pakistani territory from Afghanistan near the Murgha Faqirzai area in recent weeks.

But the soldiers foiled their attempts, he added. “There was a heavy exchange of fire which also killed an FC soldier while two terrorists were also killed.”

PAN Monitor/mud

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