Pakistan, Afghanistan increase troop deployment across Torkham after deadly clashes
PESHAWAR: The death of Pakistani army officer on Tuesday, after being shot by Afghan forces in a clash across Torkham border, is likely to ratchet up tension between the two neighbouring countries — who sources said were beefing up troop numbers on either side.
The Pakistan army has moved heavy weaponry and additional troops to the Afghan border on Monday night, said Pakistani security officials, who wished not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media.
A senior military official, while talking to DawnNews, said that the gate at Torkham will now be built and at any cost.
“If someone tries to create hindrance in the process, the army will retaliate with full force,” he added.
The officer said the construction of this gate was agreed upon by both sides during a bilateral meeting and it was decided that the construction work will be done during Ramazan after iftar.
“But the Afhan authorities are again violating the mutual agreement.”
Meanwhile, the Afghan forces again opened fire on Pakistani security officials on Tuesday evening, injuring two FC personnel.
Pakistan army retaliated with heavy fire and destroyed a military checkpost inside Afghan area, security sources said.
On Monday, an Afghan border police commander had also confirmed that reinforcements had been deployed to the Afghan side of the border.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif attended funeral prayers on Tuesday for Major Jawad Ali Changezi, who was among nine Pakistani and six Afghan troops wounded in the fighting, security officials said.
One Afghan soldier was killed, Afghan officials had said on Monday.
In Afghanistan's eastern city of Jalalabad, more than a thousand mourners attended funeral prayers on Tuesday for the dead Afghan soldier.