Pakistan closes Torkham border gate

JALALABAD (PAN): Pakistani guards shut the Torkham border crossing in eastern Nangarhar province on Monday, leaving a large number of people stranded on both sides of the frontier, officials said.

An Afghan border police commissioner told Pajhwok Afghan News they were asked early Monday morning by Pakistani authorities not to let individuals on foot cross the frontier.

Col. Hidayatullah Orya said many people, including women and children, were waiting in the scorching heat. The elderly and sick were particularly in trouble, as the Pakistani guards kept the gate closed.

Vehicles were allowed to cross the border, the official said, adding only some of the people with valid travel documents were let into the neighbouring country.

An overnight clash between militants and Pakistani forces in the Michini area across the Durand Line could have led to restrictions on cross-border movement, Col. Orya believed.

Talks between the two sides on reopening the border crossing will take place soon, according to the commissioner, who said most people from eastern Afghanistan for medical treatment.

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