Tensions at Pakistan-Afghanistan border have surged Wednesday as Afghan authorities halted the process of fencing two-kilometre (km) area despite beforehand notice.
Pakistani security forces initiated fencing at Torkham over security concerns. The border is shut leaving over 1,000 vehicles and people stranded.
Several meetings between the authorities from both the sides took place but without any consensual result. Security troops are standing alert and have taken up positions after failed talks.
Pakistani authorities have maintained that Torkham would remain closed until a positive answer is received from the neighbouring country.
Afghan army reportedly drove armoured vehicles close to the border after the issue while Khyber Rifles (KR) Commandant Colonel Tariq Hafeez leading contingents of Khyber Rifles, Khassadar and Levies personnel rushed to the border and took positions.
Different terrorist attacks in the past were revealed to have been planned in Afghanistan and terrorists had crossed Torkham border to execute the attack. Two persons belonging to influential families were abducted and shifted to Afghanistan using the same passage.
In January, attack on Bacha Khan University that claimed at least 21 lives including a PhD doctor was unfolded to have been planned in Afghanistan.
Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak had demanded Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif raise the issue with Afghanistan government and not neglect it again. Unchecked cross-border movement between the two countries poses a great threat to locals’ lives not in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but all parts of the country, he said.
Earlier in December, while addressing fifth Heart of Asia Conference, PM Nawaz had said that massive cross-border movement poses a security risk. He said that peace in Afghanistan is crucial for peace in the region. Pakistan would continue to offer services to establish peace in the neighbouring country, he added.
