Pakistan reopens Torkham border gate

JALALABAD (PAN): Pakistani guards reopened the Torkham border crossing in eastern Nangarhar province on Monday afternoon after several hours of closure, officials said.

An Afghan border police commissioner told Pajhwok Afghan News the border gate was reopened at 1.30pm. 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 left waiting in the scorching heat as the gate was closed at 5am. The elderly and sick were particularly in trouble.

“As a result of bilateral talks, the Pakistani reopened the border crossing,” he added. 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 led to restrictions on cross-border movement, said the Nangarhar governor’s spokesman.

Abdul Zia Ahmadzai said the border remained sealed as Pakistani forces conducted a search operation in the area. The action caused long queues of travelers on both sides of the frontier.

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