Pakistan and Afghanistan are both planning to use Google Maps to help settle a border dispute that led to deadly clashes for decades now, officials from both sides said last 8 May.
The latest scuffle led to at least eight civilians dead on both sides in fighting that began when a Pakistani census team accompanied by soldiers visited disputed villages along the southern border.
Pakistan inherited its 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) border with its western neighbor when it gained independence from Britain in 1947, but Afghanistan has never formally recognized it.
And while official Afghan maps reflect the so-called "Durand Line", many nationalists believe the true border of their country ends at the River Indus that runs though Pakistan and gave India its name.
"Officials from the geological survey departments of the two countries will conduct a survey, and they will also make use of Google Maps," said a senior Pakistani security source in Islamabad who requested anonymity.
Abdul Razeq, the police chief of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, added: "After negotiations, both sides have agreed that a geological survey should be conducted.
"Technical teams of both countries will use GPS and Google Maps as well as other means to get the answer."
Internet firm Google complies with local laws in certain countries that compel it to show borders in line with national demands. For instance, its Indian site shows the entirety of disputed Kashmir as controlled by India.
In Pakistan, however, the site shows the internationally recognized de facto border, the Line of Control, marked with a dotted line to denote it is disputed.
The latest scuffle led to at least eight civilians dead on both sides in fighting that began when a Pakistani census team accompanied by soldiers visited disputed villages along the southern border.
Pakistan inherited its 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) border with its western neighbor when it gained independence from Britain in 1947, but Afghanistan has never formally recognized it.
And while official Afghan maps reflect the so-called "Durand Line", many nationalists believe the true border of their country ends at the River Indus that runs though Pakistan and gave India its name.
"Officials from the geological survey departments of the two countries will conduct a survey, and they will also make use of Google Maps," said a senior Pakistani security source in Islamabad who requested anonymity.
Abdul Razeq, the police chief of Afghanistan's Kandahar province, added: "After negotiations, both sides have agreed that a geological survey should be conducted.
"Technical teams of both countries will use GPS and Google Maps as well as other means to get the answer."
Internet firm Google complies with local laws in certain countries that compel it to show borders in line with national demands. For instance, its Indian site shows the entirety of disputed Kashmir as controlled by India.
In Pakistan, however, the site shows the internationally recognized de facto border, the Line of Control, marked with a dotted line to denote it is disputed.
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