Pakistan closed the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan after Taliban Afghan authorities began “the construction of trenches and other development work” near the border, a senior Pakistani police official said on Sunday.
The level crossing was closed late Friday evening, suspending all pedestrian and commercial movements between the two neighboring countries, although no skirmish has been reported.
“He [Torkham crossing] is closed both for pedestrians and heavy vehicles since 12 noon on February 21. No dismissal is reported on each side, “said Naheed Khan, a senior police official in the Khyber Pakistani district.
The residents of Bacha Mina, a village near the border on the Pakistani side, began to leave for safer places as a precaution, while some loaded trucks returned to Jamrud Bazaar, according to Khan. There was no immediate response from the Afghan authorities concerning the closure.
This decision comes in the midst of increasing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan on an increase in militant attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of having hosted militant groups that launch cross -border attacks, an affirmation that Afghan officials deny.
In recent months, border disputes have led to the closure of key crossings, seriously disturbing trade and movements. In August, the Torkham border was closed for three days after Afghan Pakistani fighter aircraft accused Pakistani fighter violation of the Afghan airspace.
Tensions again broke out in December following the Pakistani air strikes on alleged militant hiding places in Afghanistan, which, according to Kabul, made civilian victims.
