The shots were reportedly fired early yesterday morning, but the Torkham border blockade dates back to the night before. Kabul attacks Islamabad, which would not have fulfilled its “commitments” to create “structures” for transit. Pakistan Raises Security Issue In International Forum; the Taliban respond angrily.
Kabul () – The Taliban authorities closed the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan – the Torkham border, near the Khyber pass – after the shots fired in the area, blocking the passage of people and goods in a usually crowded area. “The Pakistani counterpart – says Siddiqullah Quraishi, head of the information office of the Afghan province of Nangahar – has not fulfilled its commitments” which provided for the creation of “structures” dedicated to the “transit” of “patients and passengers”.
The official did not clarify the complaints, but added that both parties have started a dialogue to find a solution and denied that there have been “violent confrontations” between the parties, so much so that the situation would be “under control.” For now, there is no comment from the Pakistani military, police or government, although two officials in the region, on condition of anonymity, confirmed the border closure and a shooting.
For decades the issue of borders was a point of contention between Kabul and Islamabad, and the Torkham crossing remains the main transit point for goods and people. The blockade dates back to the night of February 19, while the shots were fired at dawn yesterday.
In the past, violence between the parties had also led to the closure of the Chaman pass, further south. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister spoke of the risk of Taliban and jihadist infiltrations from Afghan territory. The Taliban responded immediately, inviting Islamabad to address the issue in private rather than in public forums.
