Pakistani stationed military units in areas along the Durand Line two days ago and wanted to launch a cross-border operation on Afghan territory, said Border Police Commander Colonel Mohammad Ayub Husainkhail.

This planned action followed an earlier attack by insurgents on a shrine in Pakistan.

Husainkhail said the Afghan forces would never allow the Pakistani military to launch such an operation. 

 “They [Pakistani forces] were stationed in parts of the zero-point areas [of the Durand Line] near the Lalpoor district [of Nangarhar] and Torkham [crossing], but they left the areas two days ago,” the commander told TOLOnews.

Meanwhile, TOLOnews reporter Sharif Amiri, who visited Lalpoor district] says many houses have been damaged in rocket fire by Pakistan into nine villages of Lalpoor.

“Some people have been wounded at their homes while others were hurt fleeing from the areas,” said Shan Haji, a resident of Lalpoor.

Loqman, a resident of the district, said he sustained injuries during the Pakistani rocket shelling. “I was at home. I went to feed the cows when a rocket landed and I sustained injuries to my leg and chin,” he said.

Reports indicate that at least 400 families were displaced in nine villages of Lalpoor.

Mira Jan, 80, said his entire house was burned down by rockets fired from Pakistan.

He said he is in fear because of the presence of the Pakistani military in areas near their village.

“Rockets were showered on us like rain for three days. All the houses in the village were damaged. Our house was also destroyed,” Mira Jan said.

Schools were closed in the affected part of Nangarhar following the cross-Durand Line shelling by Pakistan, the residents said.

“A rocket landed on our school and now we have been deprived of going to study,” Mohammad Akram, a student in Lalpoor said.

“Rockets are coming from other side of the mountains. We are ready to respond. We are not of less importance than anyone,” said Abdul Ghafar, a Border Police force member.