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Tension building up on Pak-Afghan border, again
A man stands with his passport and identity cards of his family members, at a closed pedestrian crossing gate at the crossing border, in Torkham, Pakistan. Image used for representative purpose/Reuters
Tensions are once again rising along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border following a deadly suicide attack on a Pakistani army convoy on Saturday, which resulted in multiple soldier fatalities.
The incident risks escalating into a broader diplomatic crisis between the two neighboring countries.
According to an Economic Times report, citing a statement from the Pakistani military, the convoy was targeted in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, near the Afghan frontier.
The Ghulam Khan border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been shut down following the recent attack in North Waziristan and ongoing skirmishes in the region, reported Economic Times, citing a senior Pakistani security official.
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Situated in Afghanistan's Khost province, the crossing is a vital trade and transit route, especially for goods travelling to and from Pakistan's North Waziristan district.
Abidullah Farooqi, spokesperson for the Afghan Border Forces, confirmed the closure, adding that Pakistani authorities have not offered any official explanation for the decision.
According to the report, citing sources, no timeline has been given for when the Ghulam Khan border crossing will reopen.
In the meantime, Afghan authorities have advised citizens, traders, and travellers to avoid the route and instead use alternative crossings such as Torkham or Spin Boldak until tensions ease.
Earlier this year, at least one person was killed in an exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan security forces at a major border crossing.
In previous incidents, both countries have temporarily closed key crossings at Torkham and Chaman following deadly confrontations.
With inputs from agencies
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