An army officer Major Ali Jawad, who was injured by Afghan firing at the Torkham border on Monday, succumbed to his injuries at the Combined Military Hospital in Peshawar on Tuesday and embraced shadat. Martyred major was among nine Pakistani and six Afghan troops wounded in the Monday fighting, Afghan officials also claim that their one soldier was killed. Following the clashes main gates at Torkham which is one of the most frequented official border crossing stayed closed for a third day, leaving thousands stranded on either side. Both countries summoned ambassadors of each other in their countries to register protest over the clashes.
Firing between Pakistani and Afghan forces first broke out on Sunday at the crossing, about 45 km west of Peshawar, over the construction of a new border post on the Pakistani side. Main cause of the clashes as reported was construction of a new border post on the Pakistani side by Pakistani officials about 45 km west on Peshawar. Afghan forces opened unprovoked firing to stop the construction of border post. In the past Afghanistan has blocked repeated attempts of Pakistan to build fence on various points of 2200 km long border. Pakistan has said it in the past that it is building new gates and border posts to stop militants from crossing the border.
Increasing clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan indeed are worrying sighs in the region which is trying to combat terrorism. According to recent updates both sides have moved heavy weaponry and additional troops on the border. It would be wise to settle the issue issues using diplomatic front. Already war hit region needs some stability.
Problem should end through the work by diplomatic addresses.
