Warning Shots at Torkham as Afghan Forces Resume Disputed Border Post Work

Pakistani border security forces fired warning shots at the Torkham crossing on Friday evening after Afghan forces restarted construction of a disputed security checkpost on their side of the border. Officials said it was the second time this week that Afghan authorities had broken a mutual agreement not to build or repair any post within 100 metres of the border.
Tensions gripped the area as residents stayed indoors, and officials said the warning shots were fired only after verbal messages asking the Afghan side to stop went unanswered. A similar standoff on October 19 was defused when Afghan authorities abandoned work on the controversial Zangali checkpost after Pakistan protested, though the repatriation of undocumented Afghans and customs offices were briefly suspended that day.
Officials stressed that Pakistan has always sought to settle border issues through negotiations, but would not compromise on its principled stand on border security. The crossing at Torkham is one of the busiest trade and transit routes between the two countries, and any closure hits traders and returning families first.
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