Persistent Violent Clashes at Torkham Border between Pakistan and Afghanistan
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Synopsis
The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains tense, with recent clashes resulting in injuries to multiple individuals. The crossing has been closed for over two weeks, leading to significant hardships for travelers and traders on both sides.
Key Takeaways
- Torkham border has witnessed continuous violent confrontations.
- At least five individuals wounded in the latest clashes.
- Border crossing closed for 13 consecutive days.
- Traders face severe financial losses due to the standoff.
- Hundreds of travelers and patients are stranded.
Kabul, March 6 (NationPress) The volatile Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues to experience violent confrontations, resulting in injuries to at least five individuals, including a Pakistani commander, three Afghan soldiers, and a local resident over the past 24 hours.
The border crossing, now closed for the 13th consecutive day as of Thursday, has seen sporadic exchanges of gunfire between the two factions.
Reports from Amu Tv indicate that gunfire has been audible in the region since Tuesday, with three Afghan border personnel reportedly killed in the last three days.
Torkham, a critical junction for trade and movement between the two nations, has been severely impacted by the ongoing situation, causing significant financial losses for traders on both sides.
Neither the Afghan Taliban nor the Pakistani officials have released formal statements addressing the recent clashes or the actions being considered to reopen the crossing.
Afghan political analyst Fazl Rahman Oria remarked to TOLO news, "The Pakistani government has historically exploited the Torkham border to exert pressure on Afghanistan and its people, leading to widespread suffering across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia."
Currently, hundreds of travelers and patients, alongside thousands of freight trucks, remain stranded on both sides of the Torkham crossing. Locals claim the initial gunfire was instigated by Pakistani forces targeting Afghan troops and their checkpoints, resulting in damage to civilian homes and shops.
This pattern of aggression from Pakistani forces towards Afghan troops is not new, as local media in Kabul reports that Pakistani military personnel have frequently launched attacks on Afghanistan's security forces without justification.
Last month, Pakistan closed the Torkham crossing after Afghan forces commenced construction activities on their side of the border.
Afghanistan's Torkham Commissioner, Abdul Jabbar Hikmat, stated, "Whenever we initiate construction projects, they shut down the route. We suggest that if they refuse to let us build facilities, they should refrain from constructing them as well."
Frustration among drivers and travelers has been mounting due to the closure, with individuals reporting severe hardships. Noor-ul-Haq, accompanying a patient at Torkham, shared, "One of our patients is here, and we cannot transport him to Peshawar for treatment. Another patient has died on the other side, and Pakistan is not allowing us to retrieve the body because the gate has been closed since."
