Pakistan has closed Torkham’s border crossing with Afghanistan after Afghan Taliban authorities began “the construction of trenches and other development work” near the border, said a senior official police officer on Sunday.
The crossing was closed on Friday night, suspending all pedestrian and commercial movements between the two neighboring countries, although no skirmishes have been reported.
“He [Torkham crossing] It is closed for both pedestrians and heavy vehicles since 12 pm on February 21. No shot is reported from anywhere, “said Naheed Khan, a senior police officer in the Khyber district of Pakistan.
The residents of Bacha Mina, a town near the border on the Pakistani side, have begun to go to safer places such as caution, while some loaded trucks have returned to Jamrud Bazaar, according to Khan. There has not been an immediate response from the Afghan authorities regarding the closure.
The movement occurs amid increasing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan for an increase in militant attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul to house militant groups that launch cross -border attacks, a claim denied by Afghan officials.
In recent months, border disputes have led to the closure of key crosses, severely interrupting trade and movement. In August, Torkham’s border was closed for three days after the Afghan Taliban accused Pakistani combat aircraft of violating Afghan airspace.
The tensions became again in December after the Pakistani air attacks on alleged militant hiding places in Afghanistan, which Kabul said it resulted in casuals civilians.
