Pakistan starts fencing of Afghan border in trouble zones: Fencing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has commenced in an effort to improve the security situation along the international boundary, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing, said Tuesday. The construction of the fence will take place in two phases. In the first phase, the ‘high-infiltration prone’ border areas in Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber agencies will be sealed off; while in the second phase, the fencing of the remaining border areas of Balochistan will take place, the ISPR statement said.
Besides the fencing operation, Pakistan Army and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Frontier Corps will construct new forts and border posts to improve defence and surveillance.
“A secure Pak-Afghan border is in [the] common interest of both countries and a well-coordinated border security mechanism is essential for enduring peace and stability,” the ISPR press release read.
Both Mohmand and adjoining Bajaur agencies, which abut Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, have seen a frequent spike in attacks, including ones by banned militants groups Jamaatul Ahrar and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
Published in Daily Times, June 21st, 2017.
