Torkham Border Gate Reopened
Speaking to TOLO News, Nangerhar Police Department Spokesperson Abdulbasir Zabali said that the talks between Afghan and Pakistani authorities were progressing positively. Zabali announced that the Torkham Border Gate had been opened to both passengers and transit passages as of this morning. This development came after an armed conflict that took place on August 13. The conflict occurred between Afghan and Pakistani security forces due to border disputes, and the border gate was closed following this incident.
Torkham Border Gate is located in the Nangerhar province of Afghanistan and, together with the Spin Boldak Border Gate in the Kandahar province, is one of the busiest crossing points between the two countries. However, armed conflicts and tensions between the security forces of the two countries occur from time to time. Such incidents have a negative impact on Afghanistan, especially since it is landlocked, economically.
In the latest conflict, the Afghan administration claimed that Pakistani forces opened fire first and announced that a total of 3 Afghan citizens, including 2 children and 1 woman, lost their lives in the conflicts. This situation once again revealed the seriousness of the border disputes between the two countries.
Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Disputes
All past Afghan governments, including the current government, do not officially recognize the border between the two countries, known as the “Durand Line”, which is a major historical and political issue of controversy.
On the other hand, the Pakistani administration claims that Afghanistan has an important role in the terrorist attacks that have occurred on its territory. Regarding the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), Islamabad claims that this organization is based in Afghanistan and that the Afghan administration has not taken sufficient measures against this terrorist group. In contrast, the Afghan administration rejects Pakistan’s claims and claims that they have nothing to do with security problems in Pakistan.
Finally, images shared on social media claimed that Pakistani warplanes were flying over the Kunar and Nangerhar provinces of Afghanistan. The spokesman for the Afghan interim government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that they would investigate the situation and respond “seriously” if Afghan airspace was violated by Pakistani aircraft.
