Asia

Pakistan, Afghanistan start joint survey after border clash

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE -- In this March 20, 2017 file photo, Pakistani paramilitary soldiers stand guard while people wait for the opening of the border crossing in Chaman, Pakistan. Pakistan says its forces killed at least 50 Afghan troops and destroyed five checkpoints in clashes along the disputed border two days earlier, while Afghanistan dismissed the account, saying only two border police and a civilian were killed. The two armies traded fire Friday, May 5, 2017, around the Chaman border crossing, which has been closed by Pakistan, stranding people on both sides. (AP Photo/Matiullah Achakzai, File) (The Associated Press)

A Pakistani border security guard stands alert at Pakistan-Afghanistan border post, Chaman in Pakistan, Friday, May 5, 2017. Backed by artillery, Afghan security forces fired across the border on Pakistani census workers and troops escorting them on Friday, killing many people and drawing a response from the military, Pakistan said. On the Afghan side, officials reported that scores of people killed in the incident, a significant escalation of hostilities between the two neighbours. (AP Photo/Matiullah Achakzai) (The Associated Press)

A Pakistani government official says Pakistan and Afghanistan have started a joint survey agreed on following last week's deadly clashes along the disputed boundary.

The two sides agreed to conduct a geological survey of the villages to "remove discrepancies."

Kashif Nabi, a local administrator in Pakistan's Baluchistan province says the teams, which included military officers, arrived in the border villages on Monday and are working "amicably." He says the situation is calm but that the border crossing in the area is still closed.

Pakistan has said Afghan forces fired on Pakistani census workers and troops escorting them, killing two soldiers and nine civilians on Friday.

Islamabad also claimed 50 Afghan troops were killed in retaliatory action, a claim Kabul denies, saying only two border policemen and a civilian were killed.