The unstable Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan continues to be a hotbed of violent confrontations, with at least five individuals—a Pakistani commander, three Afghan soldiers, and a local resident—wounded in the last 24 hours.
The border crossing, which has been shut for the 13th day in a row, has seen sporadic gunfire, with gunfire exchanges reported since Tuesday. Three Afghan border force officials have been reported dead over the last three days, Amu TV reports.
Torkham, the busiest border crossing between the two countries, is an important hub of trade and passenger flow. The extended closure has caused huge financial losses to traders on both sides, running into several millions of dollars. Although the tensions are mounting, neither the Afghan Taliban nor Pakistani officials have made any formal announcements of the clashes or any easing of tensions.
Afghan political analyst Fazl Rahman Oria blamed Pakistan for using the Torkham border as an act of pressure. "The Pakistani government has used the Torkham border as an act of pressure against Afghanistan and Afghan people throughout its history, and they are still doing so. Therefore, Afghan and Pakistani as well as Central Asian peoples are facing massive losses," he said in an interview with TOLO News.
Local reports show that the recent spate of shooting was begun by Pakistani forces on Afghan soldiers and their checkpoints, resulting in damage to residential houses and business shops. Afghan media have also accused Pakistan of continually launching indiscriminate attacks on Afghan security personnel.
The Pakistani government blocked the Torkham border last month when Afghan troops started working on their side. "Whenever we construct facilities, they block the route. We tell them, if you do not allow us to build facilities, then you should not build them either," Abdul Jabbar Hikmat, Afghanistan's Torkham Commissioner, said.
The extended shutdown has stranded hundreds of travelers, patients, and thousands of cargo trucks on both sides. Angry drivers and passengers have complained about the humanitarian crisis developing as a result of the stalemate.
"One of our patients is here, and we cannot take him to Peshawar for treatment. Another patient has died on the other side, and Pakistan is not allowing us to bring the body back because the gate has been closed," Noor-ul-Haq, who is with a patient at Torkham, said.
In spite of increasing pressure, there has been no clear signal from either party on when the border will be reopened, leaving travelers and traders in limbo.
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