Pakistan has shut the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan after Afghan Taliban authorities started “building of trenches and different improvement work” close to the frontier, a senior Pakistani police official mentioned on Sunday.
The crossing was closed late Friday night time, suspending all pedestrian and commerce motion between the 2 neighbouring international locations, although no skirmishes have been reported.
“It [Torkham crossing] is closed each for pedestrians and heavy autos since 12 at night time on Feb. 21. No firing is reported from both aspect,” mentioned Naheed Khan, a senior police official in Pakistan’s Khyber district.
Residents of Bacha Mina, a village close to the border on the Pakistani aspect, have begun leaving for safer places as a precaution, whereas some loaded vehicles have returned to Jamrud Bazaar, in line with Khan. There was no fast response from Afghan authorities relating to the closure.
The transfer comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over a surge in militant assaults in Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of harbouring militant teams that launch cross-border assaults, a declare Afghan officers deny.
In current months, border disputes have led to the closure of key crossings, severely disrupting commerce and motion. In August, the Torkham border was shut for 3 days after the Afghan Taliban accused Pakistani fighter jets of violating Afghan airspace.
Tensions flared once more in December following reported Pakistani airstrikes on alleged militant hideouts in Afghanistan, which Kabul claimed resulted in civilian casualties.