Four people were killed and around 20 were injured in Pakistan as travellers and security forces clashed at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Chaman border, reported GeoTv. The crowd demanded the opening of the border so that they could celebrate Eidul Azha in their native communities.
The security forces kept the gate closed, demanding the crowd to be dispersed on Thursday, despite a government order to allow the opening of the Friendship Gate with Afghanistan till 31 July.
Pictures and videos of the site showed people heavily injured, thick smoke clouds in the air and general chaos. #StateAttackedChamanSitIn and other hashtags trended in Pakistan as people accused border forces of opening fire at protesters.
A heavy exchange of fire and shelling also took place between the security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan's Defence Ministry stated on Thursday that nine civilians were killed and around 50 were injured in heavy shelling from Pakistan targeting civilians.
“A heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces continued and explosions were heard in Chaman,” Dawn said, quoting a senior official of the area, Zakaullah Durrani.