JALALABAD (SW): Skirmishes between the Afghan and Pakistani border forces on the Torkham crossing point at the Durand Line have inflicted heavy financial losses on the local traders.
The on and off exchange of fire here has led to the death of at least one security men on both sides while a number of more security personnel and civilian have got wounded. The traders in this part of the country told Salam Watandar their trade has been severely damaged and they are busy evacuating. Same is the case of thousands of locals residing near the crossing point. Locals said that two children died last night when shelling from Pakistan hit a home in the Gorakai village.
Situation remains tense at Torkham following Pakistan’s unilateral move to erect installments at the zero point without consulting Afghanistan. The move was opposed by the Afghan forces in line with the mutually agreement and international norms.
Col. Mohammad Ayub Hussainkhail of the Afghan Border Force said in this regard that his forces are on high alert.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Army Major died after getting wounded at Torkham a night earlier. Major Jawad Ali Changezi hailed from southern Quetta province.
Salam Watandar’s freelance correspondent in Quetta has reported that the Pakistani forces are determined to erect new installments at Torkham and they have deployed additional force to ensure this. He added that the shelling by the Afghan Border Force (ABF) has forced some 200 locals to evacuate.
The tense situation at Torkham has led to early closure of crossing point in the southern Chaman city between Kandahar and Quetta.
Anti-Pakistan demonstrations
A number of residents across the country staged anti-Pakistan demonstrations following skirmishes at Torkham.
In southern Helmand province, hundreds of locals gathered on Tuesday in support for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Chanting anti-Pakistan slogans, the participants vowed to defend their motherland against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s flag was torched during the protest demonstration.
Matiullah Mati, organizer of the rally said on the occasion that the international community should take notice of Pakistan’s violation of the international norms and mutual agreements at the Torkham crossing point. “We all are ready to follow the commands of our dear president and would pay every sacrifice to defend our country”, he said while addressing the gathering.
Sardar Mohammad Hamdard, head of Helmand civil society, told a separate gathering in the provincial capital Lashkargah that this was not the first time Pakistan has violated norms and sparked the trouble. He urged upon the international community and the UN to play its role in stopping Pakistan.
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