Fencing Problems: Torkham border remains closed for third day

LANDIKOTAL: The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed for the third consecutive day on Thursday after talks between Pakistani and Afghan authorities failed to reduce tensions over the installation of barbed wire and putting up fences in Pakistani territory.

The Torkham crossing is used by thousands of people daily. Hundreds of stranded passengers including women and children stayed in mosques, hotels and other empty buildings at Torkham, Landikotal and nearby areas. They were anxiously waiting for opening of the border so that they could start their journey towards their destination.

Around 50 trucks and trailers loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables were stranded for the third day on the Pakistani side of the border. The transporters were seen placing ice-blocks in the vegetables and fruit to keep them from rotting.

The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham was closed on Tuesday after the situation became tense between the border security forces of the two countries over putting up fences, sources said.

The Pakistani officials had undertaken the work to check illegal movement on the border.