Pak-Afghan border opens for two days

Five Pakistani soldiers were killed March 6 in the Mohmand tribal region near the Afghan border during an attack by unknown militants, the Pakistani army said, AP reported.

Khawaja Asif said that the decision of closing border with Afghanistan was a matter of national security and it should not be politicised adding that Pakistan wanted to have proper border management with the neighbouring country.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Several stranded Afghans started returning to the country as the two key crossings along the Durand Line were reopened after nearly eighteen days.

The assessment also specifically cautioned travel to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

The temporary opening was for people who had traveled for medical, work and business purposes but were left stranded, according to Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Omar Zakhilwal.

Armed groups had “forced temporary or permanent closure of medical facilities; damaged or destroyed medical facilities; looted medical supplies; stolen ambulances; threatened, intimidated, extorted, or detained medical personnel; and occupied medical facilities for military purposes”, it said. The recent terror attacks also affected the Pakistan Super League cricket tournament which saw many global players, including England’s Kevin Pieterson, skipping the final match in Lahore.

Afghanistan responded by naming Taliban leaders in Pakistan who were allegedly responsible for committing “crimes against the people of Afghanistan”.

He said over last two years Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has been contacting and persuading Afghan government to seriously move forward on the issue of terrorism but we did not get positive response.

Only five of its fighters were wounded and none were killed in the attack, the Taliban faction said, however.

“We have the right to shut the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and protect our people”, he said.