Curfew imposed in Torkham as tensions mount on Pak-Afghan border

LANDIKOTAL (Web Desk) - A curfew has been imposed in Torkham after tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan intensified Sunday night, a local news channel reported on Monday.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, Afghan forces opened fire at the Torkham border last night, killing two FC personnel and two khasadar officials, and injuring six locals. The injured were shifted to Landikotal DHQ Hospital.

“Pakistani security forces responded to the Afghan firing effectively,” the statement from the Inter-Service Public Relations said.

Torkham is the most frequently used crossing point on the porous Pak-Afghan border. Most terrorists have been found using this gate for entry, the ISPR statement said.

The firing incident occurred days after Pakistan introduced a new mechanism along the border that requires every Afghan to carry travel documents for entering Pakistan.

Update Torkham, Khyber Agency.
At about 2120 hrs tonight Afghan Security forces resorted to unprovoked firing... https://t.co/o7uSnNkf0H

— ISPR (@ISPR_Official) June 12, 2016

Locals have been advised to stay inside their homes, while many have also moved elsewhere to escape any greater displays of violence.

“In order to check movement of terrorists through Torkham, Pakistan is constructing a gate on its own side of the border as a necessity to check unwanted and illegal movement,” General Asim Bajwa, director general of ISPR, said in a Facebook post.

On the other hand, Afghan Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah said both the countries have agreed to observe a ceasefire along the Torkham border and solve the dispute through diplomatic means.

“We have agreed on a ceasefire with Pakistan and hope this problem will be resolved through diplomatic efforts,” Tolo TV quoted Dr Abdullah as telling the Afghan council of ministers.

He confirmed that one border soldier had been killed and six others wounded in clashes against Pakistan last night, adding that Pakistan also incurred casualties.

“Pakistan wanted to build new installations and the Afghan Border Forces didn’t allow it. In response, Pakistan opened fire on Afghan Forces,” Abdullah said.