Pakistani security sources said that the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan was closed on Wednesday (September 6). Locals reported hearing gunfire at the Torkham crossing and said individuals in the bustling border area near the Khyber Pass ran once the shooting began.&nbsp;

Security forces from both countries exchanged fire, which reportedly killed at least two Afghan soldiers killed. Four Afgan soldiers were injured and one Pakistan soldier was also injured in clashes at the Torkham border. But so far, there's no official confirmation. Local reports mentioned that various villages have been captured.&nbsp;

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According to reports, a Pakistani Taliban (TTP) spokesman and a key commander have claimed that TTP fighters in "large" numbers have entered Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan's Kunar, Nuristan and Badakhshan provinces.&nbsp;

A TTP commander told The Khorasan Diary, "An operation in Chitral district has been launched by the TTP and various villages have been captured. It started at 4 am this morning. We will share pictures as well as currently we are having poor internet issues there."&nbsp;

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Watch:&nbsp;Indian parliament special session called from September 18&nbsp;

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<h2>Torkham border point</h2>

Torkham border crossing is a border crossing between the Pakistani city of Torkham and Afghanistan. It is located along the Grand Trunk Road on the international border between the two countries.&nbsp;

Disputes linked to the 2,600 km border have been a bone of contention between the neighbours for decades and the crossing has been closed several times in recent years, including a closure in February that saw thousands of trucks laden with goods stranded on each side of the border for days.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pakistani security sources said that the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan was closed on Wednesday (September 6). Locals reported hearing gunfire at the Torkham crossing and said individuals in the bustling border area near the Khyber Pass ran once the shooting began.

Pakistani security sources said that the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan was closed on Wednesday (September 6). Locals reported hearing gunfire at the Torkham crossing and said individuals in the bustling border area near the Khyber Pass ran once the shooting began. Security forces from both countries exchanged fire, which reportedly killed at least two Afghan soldiers killed. Four Afgan soldiers were injured and one Pakistan soldier was also injured in clashes at the Torkham border. But so far, there's no official confirmation. Local reports mentioned that various villages have been captured. Also read: Sara Sharif's dad and stepmom break silence in first video message since girl's death According to reports, a Pakistani Taliban (TTP) spokesman and a key commander have claimed that TTP fighters in "large" numbers have entered Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan's Kunar, Nuristan and Badakhshan provinces. A TTP commander told The Khorasan Diary, "An operation in Chitral district has been launched by the TTP and various villages have been captured. It started at 4 am this morning. We will share pictures as well as currently we are having poor internet issues there." Also read: Over 45 women fell victim to Karachi school principal accused of rape, blackmail Watch: Indian parliament special session called from September 18 × Torkham border point Torkham border crossing is a border crossing between the Pakistani city of Torkham and Afghanistan. It is located along the Grand Trunk Road on the international border between the two countries. Disputes linked to the 2,600 km border have been a bone of contention between the neighbours for decades and the crossing has been closed several times in recent years, including a closure in February that saw thousands of trucks laden with goods stranded on each side of the border for days. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Key Afghan-Pakistan border crossing closed as forces exchange fire: Report

Days after Islamabad witnessed&nbsp;some deadly attacks, Pakistan's Defence Minister&nbsp;Khawaja Muhammad Asid and intelligence&nbsp;chief&nbsp;Nadeem Anjum&nbsp;held talks with the Taliban government on Wednesday (Feb 22) on ways to counter the "threat of terrorism." The meet was held in Kabul, led by Afghan's Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar.

Baradar's office in a statement said, "they discussed bilateral relations, trade, regional connectivity and ecomomic cooperation between the two countries." Later that afternoon, the office issued another statement related to the growing threat of terrorist activities in the region, referring to the TTP and TSKP, AFP reported.

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Pakistan has been blaming the Taliban for harbouring militants from its own version of the Islamist group, which Kabul has been repeatedly denying.

Pakistan has been witnessing a dramatic increase in militant activities, mainly in the border regions.&nbsp;

Last week, at least five were killed after a suicide squad stormed a police compound in Karachi.

Similarly, in January, a suicide bomber killed over 80 police officials at a mosque in Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/jail-bharo-tehreek-in-pakistan-live-updates-imran-khan-to-start-nationwide-movement-from-today-564609">Jail Bharo Tehreek in Pakistan Highlights: Ex-PM Imran Khan's nationwide movement begins</a>

Both of these attacks were linked to the TTP.&nbsp;

Violence erupted on Monday at the Torkham border, with both sides blaming each other for the attack.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the Munich Security Conference last weekend that Afghanistan had to deliver&nbsp;on promises on not to harbour militants.

Responding to Zardari's remarks, Afghanistan's foreign ministry representative Abdul Qahar Balkhi are "untrue."

(with inputs from agencies)

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Days after Islamabad witnessed some deadly attacks, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asid and intelligence chief Nadeem Anjum held talks with the Taliban government on Wednesday (Feb 22) on ways to counter the "threat of terrorism.

Days after Islamabad witnessed some deadly attacks, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asid and intelligence chief Nadeem Anjum held talks with the Taliban government on Wednesday (Feb 22) on ways to counter the "threat of terrorism." The meet was held in Kabul, led by Afghan's Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar. Baradar's office in a statement said, "they discussed bilateral relations, trade, regional connectivity and ecomomic cooperation between the two countries." Later that afternoon, the office issued another statement related to the growing threat of terrorist activities in the region, referring to the TTP and TSKP, AFP reported. Also read | Pakistan orders news channels to toe the line, bans from covering terror attacks Pakistan has been blaming the Taliban for harbouring militants from its own version of the Islamist group, which Kabul has been repeatedly denying. Pakistan has been witnessing a dramatic increase in militant activities, mainly in the border regions. Last week, at least five were killed after a suicide squad stormed a police compound in Karachi. Similarly, in January, a suicide bomber killed over 80 police officials at a mosque in Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Also read | Jail Bharo Tehreek in Pakistan Highlights: Ex-PM Imran Khan's nationwide movement begins Both of these attacks were linked to the TTP. Violence erupted on Monday at the Torkham border, with both sides blaming each other for the attack. Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the Munich Security Conference last weekend that Afghanistan had to deliver on promises on not to harbour militants. Responding to Zardari's remarks, Afghanistan's foreign ministry representative Abdul Qahar Balkhi are "untrue." (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Afghanistan: Pakistan, Taliban officials hold talks on 'terrorism threat' following deadly attacks

Afghan nationals living in neighbouring Pakistan would be allowed to go back to their countries, Islamabad announced on Saturday.

"At the special request of the Government of Afghanistan and based on humanitarian considerations, Pakistan has decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, wishing to go back to their country," Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.

The borders connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan are going to be opened for three days to allow Afghan nationals to exit Pakistan.

"The Torkham and Chaman land border crossings will be opened for a specific period from 6 April to 9 April 2020 to facilitate Afghan nationals."

"As a neighbour and in view of fraternal bilateral relations, Pakistan remains in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, particularly at this time of the global pandemic," the government stated.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus in Pakistan, the borders have been closed to prevent the spread further.

The Imran Khan government had given the order to open the border earlier saying that Islamabad would continue to support Kabul.

"Despite the global pandemic of COVID-19, we remain committed to supporting our Afghan brothers and sisters. I have given instructions to open the Chaman-Spinboldak border and let trucks crossover into Afghanistan. In this time of crisis, we remain steadfast with Afghanistan," Khan had said in a tweet.

Pakistan's coronavirus cases rose to 2,708 on Saturday with COVID-19 claiming 40 lives, while 130 patients have recovered.

Punjab -- the hotspot of the viral infection in Pakistan -- reported a total of 1,072 cases, followed by Sindh at 839, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 343, Balochistan 175, Gilgit-Baltistan 193, Islamabad 75 and 11 cases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

On Friday, the World Bank approved USD 200 million in aid to Pakistan to help deal with the impact of the novel coronavirus.

Afghan nationals living in neighbouring Pakistan would be allowed to go back to their countries, Islamabad announced on Saturday. "At the special request of the Government of Afghanistan and based on humanitarian considerations, Pakistan has decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, wishing to go back to their country," Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement.

Afghan nationals living in neighbouring Pakistan would be allowed to go back to their countries, Islamabad announced on Saturday. "At the special request of the Government of Afghanistan and based on humanitarian considerations, Pakistan has decided to allow the exit of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, wishing to go back to their country," Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement. The borders connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan are going to be opened for three days to allow Afghan nationals to exit Pakistan. "The Torkham and Chaman land border crossings will be opened for a specific period from 6 April to 9 April 2020 to facilitate Afghan nationals." "As a neighbour and in view of fraternal bilateral relations, Pakistan remains in abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, particularly at this time of the global pandemic," the government stated. Since the outbreak of coronavirus in Pakistan, the borders have been closed to prevent the spread further. The Imran Khan government had given the order to open the border earlier saying that Islamabad would continue to support Kabul. "Despite the global pandemic of COVID-19, we remain committed to supporting our Afghan brothers and sisters. I have given instructions to open the Chaman-Spinboldak border and let trucks crossover into Afghanistan. In this time of crisis, we remain steadfast with Afghanistan," Khan had said in a tweet. Pakistan's coronavirus cases rose to 2,708 on Saturday with COVID-19 claiming 40 lives, while 130 patients have recovered. Punjab -- the hotspot of the viral infection in Pakistan -- reported a total of 1,072 cases, followed by Sindh at 839, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 343, Balochistan 175, Gilgit-Baltistan 193, Islamabad 75 and 11 cases in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). On Friday, the World Bank approved USD 200 million in aid to Pakistan to help deal with the impact of the novel coronavirus.

Pakistan to allow Afghan nationals to return home: Foreign Office

A major Afghan-Pakistan border crossing reopened on Saturday after it was closed for several days following deadly clashes between the two countries following the construction of a gate on the Pakistani side to control cross-border movement, officials said. 
 
The clash, which erupted along the Torkham border a week ago, left at least three Afghan policemen and a Pakistani military officer dead, with dozens wounded. 
 
&quot;The Torkham border reopened around six this morning after around five days of closure,&quot; Mohammad Ayub Hussain Khil, border police chief in eastern Afghanistan, told AFP. 
 
&quot;Everyday huge crowds of Afghans used to cross the border for medical purposes, but now they are only allowing people with visas and passports,&quot; he said. 
 
The spokesman for the governor of the Afghan province of Nangarhar, Ataullah Khogyani, confirmed the reopening of the border saying it happened after &quot;days of negotiations&quot; between the two sides. 
 
A Pakistani official who declined to be named told AFP that the border had reopened and &quot;the construction work on the gate has also resumed&quot;. 
 
Pakistan&#39;s foreign ministry spokesman posted a message on Twitter saying: &quot;Only passport holders allowed from Afghan side.&quot; 
 
The new requirement will affect thousands of people who formerly crossed the busy border post without travel documents. 
 
The border clash prompted bitter recriminations on both sides, with Islamabad and Kabul summoning each other&#39;s diplomats to lodge strong formal complaints. 
 
The Pakistani military justified the construction of the gate at Torkham, saying &quot;terrorists&quot; were using the crossing point. 
 
Torkham is one of the major crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where hundreds of trucks and thousands of people cross the border daily through the Khyber Pass. 
 
The border was closed over similar clashes last month, but was reopened after an understanding was reached between the two countries. 
(AFP)

New requirement will affect thousands who formerly crossed the busy border post without travel documents

A major Afghan-Pakistan border crossing reopened on Saturday after it was closed for several days following deadly clashes between the two countries following the construction of a gate on the Pakistani side to control cross-border movement, officials said. The clash, which erupted along the Torkham border a week ago, left at least three Afghan policemen and a Pakistani military officer dead, with dozens wounded. "The Torkham border reopened around six this morning after around five days of closure," Mohammad Ayub Hussain Khil, border police chief in eastern Afghanistan, told AFP. "Everyday huge crowds of Afghans used to cross the border for medical purposes, but now they are only allowing people with visas and passports," he said. The spokesman for the governor of the Afghan province of Nangarhar, Ataullah Khogyani, confirmed the reopening of the border saying it happened after "days of negotiations" between the two sides. A Pakistani official who declined to be named told AFP that the border had reopened and "the construction work on the gate has also resumed". Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman posted a message on Twitter saying: "Only passport holders allowed from Afghan side." The new requirement will affect thousands of people who formerly crossed the busy border post without travel documents. The border clash prompted bitter recriminations on both sides, with Islamabad and Kabul summoning each other's diplomats to lodge strong formal complaints. The Pakistani military justified the construction of the gate at Torkham, saying "terrorists" were using the crossing point. Torkham is one of the major crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where hundreds of trucks and thousands of people cross the border daily through the Khyber Pass. The border was closed over similar clashes last month, but was reopened after an understanding was reached between the two countries. (AFP)