Afghanistan: Senators Criticize Govt Silence Over Pakistan's Mortar Shelling

Kunar Chief of Police Abdul Haseeb Syedkhaili on Tuesday reported that Pakistani military has increased mortar shelling on some regions of eastern Kunar province in recent days. Thus far, Pakistan has fired at least 300 missiles on Shigal and Dangam districts of Kunar.

According to local officials in Kunar, the attacks have killed one civilian, injured fourteen others and displaced 120 families.

"Since the beginning of the year, districts located alongside Durand Line have been targeted," Syedkhaili said. "The attacks have been doubled in the past two day."

Some senators have criticized the government's silence over the issue and argue that the Afghan government has not yet retaliated properly.

"I call on the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Directorate of Security to file a complaint to the UN," Kunar Senator Ali Baba said. "We cannot remain silent if diplomatic channels are unfruitful."

Moreover, Chairman of the Senate Fazel Hadi Muslimyar said that the government must take action against the Pakistani violation because the issue will leave damaging consequences on the bilateral relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

"The border regions of Kunar province have been under Pakistani mortar and rocket shelling several times," Muslimyar said. "It is not clear whether the government does not have the capability to respond to the issue or it does not want to respond the same way as Pakistan."

The Pakistani military has been targeting some regions in eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan for about three years. The issue has led to more tensions in Afghanistan and Pakistan's already rocky relationship.