Torkham crossing closed yet again

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The Torkham crossing was temporarily shut once again on Saturday (today) by Pakistani guards, officials in eastern Nangarhar province said.

Nangarhar police spokesman Hafiz Abdul Baseer told Pajhwok Afghan News Pakistani security guards found a landmine on their side of the Durand Line and then launched a clearing operation in the area.

Baseer said: “The crossing has been closed for the movement of all people after bilateral coordination between the two sides. It is unclear how much time the operation will take to complete. The crossing will reopen once the operation is over.”

Nangarhar’s Information and Culture Director Qari Sajid Khogyani says Pakistani security personnel were being supported by US forces.

In a statement, meanwhile, the governor’s house asked people to avoid using the Torkham route until further announcement.

Pakistan media has also published reports about the closure of the crossing due to clearance operations in the area.

Media reports said house-to-house search operations were  ongoing in area from the Michani police station to the Torkham gate and residents are asked not to come out of homes.

Earlier in the week, the crossing had been shut due to an armed clash between Afghan and Pakistani security forces.

aw/mud