Pakistani and Afghan security forces clashed yesterday at the recently shuttered main border crossing between the two countries, killing at least one combatant and injuring several, officials said.
The conflict erupted on the first working day of the holy month of Ramadan, when food imports from Pakistan usually peak in Afghanistan, which is facing a humanitarian and hunger crisis.
A 10-day-old closure of the Torkham border point has stranded thousands of trucks filled with essential goods.
The Taliban-run Afghan Interior Ministry said yesterday the latest firing took place overnight and that one Taliban fighter had been killed and two injured. Two Pakistani security officials said that members of the Pakistani security forces had been wounded.
The neighbouring countries have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several militant attacks that have occurred there have been launched from Afghan soil – a charge the Taliban deny. Pakistani military aircraft carried out strikes that killed dozens on Afghan territory in December.
Abdul Mateen Qaniee, the Afghan interior ministry spokesperson, said that this week’s clashes had been resolved but did not comment on whether the border crossing would now reopen. It has been shut since February 21.
The latest closure has left 5,000 trucks stranded and traders alarmed at rising losses.
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