DUBAI:
Two Iranian border guards and one Taliban fighter have been killed after taking pictures broke out close to a border submit between Iran and Afghanistan, a Taliban spokesman and Iran’s state media mentioned on Saturday.
It was not instantly clear what had provoked the incident, wherein a number of folks have been additionally injured, but it surely got here amid tensions between the 2 international locations over water rights.
Iran has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers of violating a 1973 treaty by proscribing the move of water from the Helmand river to Iran’s parched japanese areas, an accusation denied by the Taliban.
“As we speak, in Nimroz province, Iranian border forces fired towards Afghanistan, which was met with a counter-reaction,” spokesman for the Taliban-run inside ministry, Abdul Nafi Takor, mentioned in a press release.
“The scenario is beneath management now. The Islamic Emirate doesn’t need to struggle with its neighbours,” the spokesman mentioned, with out figuring out the victims.
Learn extra: Iran closes Afghan border crossing after skirmishes with Taliban
He mentioned one individual had been killed on both sides and several other injured, although Iran’s official IRNA information company later mentioned two Iranian border guards had been killed and two Iranian civilians injured.
Following the conflict, Iranian authorities closed the Milak – Zaranj border submit, a serious business crossing – and never the positioning of the conflict – till additional discover, IRNA mentioned.
Iran’s deputy police chief, Qasem Rezaei, mentioned earlier: “With out observing worldwide legal guidelines and good neighbourliness, Taliban forces began taking pictures on the Sasoli checkpoint … drawing a decisive response,” IRNA reported.
Iran’s border guards mentioned in a press release that they had “used their superior heavy hearth to inflict casualties and severe harm”, IRNA reported, with out giving particulars.
Enayatullah Khowarazmi, Taliban defence ministry spokesman, mentioned: “Sadly, right this moment as soon as once more within the border areas of Kong district of Nimroz province, there was a taking pictures by Iranian troopers, (and) a battle … broke out.”
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers dialogue and negotiation to be an inexpensive manner for any drawback. Making excuses for struggle and destructive actions just isn’t within the curiosity of any of the events,” Khowarazmi mentioned.
Earlier in Might, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned the Taliban over disregarding Iran’s water rights beneath the 1973 treaty. The Taliban rejected Raisi’s perceived risk, with a former Taliban official mocking Raisi in a video that went viral.