Pakistan on Sunday, citing security threats, has temporarily closed a significant border crossing, Ghulam Khan, with Afghanistan. The decision has been taken after a suicide attack in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and clashes in this province adjacent to Afghanistan.
A senior Pakistani security officer said, “Curfew has been imposed in North Waziristan after the attack, and Ghulam Khan Seema has been closed indefinitely.” At least 13 security personnel were killed and three others were injured in this suicide attack.
Instructions to use alternative routes
Abidullah Farooqui, a spokesman of the border forces of the interim Afghan government, confirmed the bandh on Sunday and said that Pakistani officials have not given any clear reason for the move. Farooqui said in its statement, “Pakistani authorities have instructed only vehicles on the crossing to use alternative routes.”
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The provincial administration of Khost province of Afghanistan said in a separate press release that on Saturday evening, Pakistani officials informed the Ghulam Khan crossing officials that the route would be temporarily closed due to ongoing security threats. It was also told in the release that no fixed time-limit has been given for the reopening of the border, and this prisoner will remain effective till the next notice.
Ghulam Khan crossing in Khost province is an important route for trade and movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially for goods coming from North Waziristan region. The Afghan government has appealed to the people, traders and passengers to use alternative boundary routes like Torkham or Spin Boldak.
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