Unknown gunmen have killed two customs officials in West Pakistan, officials said Sunday, following the killing of five other customs officials in the area in recent days.
No group has claimed responsibility since Thursday for the two attacks, which police said they were investigating.
Security in Pakistan’s regions bordering Afghanistan has deteriorated in recent years. The number of attacks, some claimed by the Islamic militant group the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), has increased, mainly targeting police and security officials.
“Customs officials were present for checks… when unknown persons opened fire,” Deputy Police Superintendent Muhammad Adnan said, adding that two people were injured and the area was cordoned off along a busy highway.
“Three days ago, five officials, including an officer, of the Customs Department were killed in a shooting in the same area and the attackers escaped,” he said.
The increase in attacks has escalated tensions between Pakistan and the ruling Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Pakistan says militants have used Afghan territory to carry out attacks, has called on the Taliban to take action and carried out an airstrike on Afghan territory last month.
The Taliban have denied that Afghan territory is being used for militant activities and say Pakistan’s security problems are a domestic issue for Islamabad.
