“The satellite spying balloon system can monitor activities up to 10km along the border,” an Afghan official told newsmen here by telephone on Tuesday.

He said the system had been installed at a base of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in Qarar Gah area, about 1km from Chaman.

“It is equipped with hi-tech equipment and spying cameras that have the ability to monitor all movements along the Pakistan-Afghan border,” he said.

He claimed that the system could not be hit by rocket or other weapons.

The Afghan official said the system had been installed to keep an eye on the border before the launching of an operation in Kandahar.

He said the system would function in all weather conditions.

Meanwhile, tribal elders of Chaman have urged the government to protest to Afghanistan against installation of the surveillance system.

The system has a number of cameras installed on a 300 metres high tower.