Torkham crossing reopens after hours of closure

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Afghan guards closed the Torkham crossing for several hours after Pakistani forces launched repair work on a protective wall, officials say.

The Afghan border police personnel raised objections to the repairs, though Pakistan insisted the wall was on its side of the Durand Line.

The Durand Line closure led to the suspension of vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement, prompting Pakistan to ramp up security on its side.

One Pakistani official said they had to repair the retaining wall that had been damaged at several points by local daily wagers who cross the border several times a day.

However, the source added, the Afghan guards objected to the reconstruction work and had testy exchanges with them. This caused the closure of the crossing.

After several hours, however, both vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement resumed. High-level contacts took place during the period.

But Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the Nangarhar governor, claimed that Pakistan shut the Durand Line to fix the retaining wall.

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