New Delhi: Now tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Torkham border have arisen again. On Sunday, tensions escalated once more as Afghan forces allegedly opened fire, prompting a response from Pakistani security forces. The fighting went on for hours, injuring both sides and killing one civilian.
Officials from both nations had met on Sunday in a bid to defuse the crisis. But no agreement was ever reached. The state-run online platform “Mahaj” asserted that Pakistan hit back against Afghan checkpoints and enraged three Afghan security personnel and a civilian. Pakistani security sources in Khyber district on Monday said three Pakistani soldiers were injured in cross-border fire from Afghan Taliban forces, while a civilian truck driver was also shot dead while escaping.
As of now, the Afghan government has not released an official statement about the incident. The closure for the last ten days has affected trade and commercial activities on the Torkham border. The failure of Sunday’s attempts to reopen the crossing has further strained relations between the two countries. The closure, which was first imposed on February 21, followed by growing tension between Ankara and Damascus over recent construction work near the opening, has exacerbated the situation for local traders and businesses.