The Torkham border crossing linking Afghanistan and Pakistan has been shut down for pedestrians following a clash between personnel from the Frontier Corps (FC) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), as reported by Pakistan-based Geo News, citing security sources.
After the altercation, the NADRA point at the Torkham border has been closed, leaving numerous individuals bound for Afghanistan stranded, according to security sources cited in the report. Hospital sources have confirmed that five individuals sustained injuries in the confrontation and have been transported to Landi Kotal Hospital for medical attention, with their conditions reported as stable.
Allegations from the FIA suggest that FC officials were meddling in immigration affairs, prompting the scuffle when the FC personnel persisted despite warnings to desist. Subsequently, the FIA immigration staff shut down their offices in protest, as per Geo News sources.
Conversely, FC sources have emphasized their responsibility for border security, stating that they vigilantly monitor passengers for security purposes, as detailed in the Geo News report.
Significantly, the Torkham road serves as a vital link for Afghanistan, connecting Pakistan’s Peshawar to Afghanistan’s Jalalabad and onward to the capital, Kabul. The closure of the Torkham border point disrupts the essential transit of people and goods between the two nations.