Clashes Erupt on Durand Line at Torkham Gate

Following the closure of Torkham gate, Islamic Emirate forces and Pakistani border guards engaged in a gun battle, according to local officials.

There are currently no details available about casualties.

The gate was closed after Pakistan denied allowing the Afghan patients to cross the gate, according to the security officials in Nangarhar province.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people including patients have been stranded and the shops are closed.

“The fighting started in between two check posts on the top area. One of them belongs to Pakistan and another belongs to our Ministry of Defense,” said Karimullah Agha, an intelligence officer at the gate.

The closure of the gate caused problems for many people needing medical care abroad and their accompanying relatives. They called on the two sides to reach an agreement over reopening the gate.

“There should be pressure on Pakistan to allow the patients. There are two to three people that are accompanying the patients. Pakistan is not treating us well,” said Najibullah, a patient.

“Based on the agreement that is made between Afghanistan and Pakistan, between 100 to 150 people should be allowed to cross the gate,” said Abdul Malik Samsor, a patient.

This comes as the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment said that the closure of the gate affects the country.

“This issue damages both countries because we are transporting goods. We have trade with Pakistan,” said Khanjan Alokozai, a member of the ACCI.

The truck drivers meanwhile said that they would suffer millions of Afs worth of damage if the gate is not reopened.

“If the gate of Torkham is not reopened, we will suffer between 500,000 to 600,000 Afs in transport services on a daily basis,” said Ayoub Khan, a driver.

“You think of it, when the truck is loaded with vegetables and then the vegetables spoil on the way, the owner will heavily suffer from it,” said Lala Mohammad Shah, a driver.

Recently there have been many clashes reported alongside the Durand Line between the Islamic Emirate forces and the Pakistan military.