Pak-Afghan border closed in Kurram after suicide attack

The Pak-Afghan border crossing points have been sealed in Kurram tribal region after a suicide attack took place at a checkpoint on Friday. Three crossing points between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been closed after the attack, for an indefinite period of time affecting trade between the two countries.

According to eye witnesses’ reports, long queues of trucks loaded with perishable and non-perishable items were seen on both sides of the border. The traders are waiting for the borders to open so that the items can be shipped to their locations.

The bulk of the trade between the two countries takes place at Kherlachi and Borki crossing points in Kurram region. A local trader told reporters that more than 500 trucks, including perishable items like poultry, had lined up at Kherlachi and Borki since the border closure on Friday. He said that chickens were dying due to being cooped up for so long, costing millions to poultry traders.

According to the details provided of the blast, a suicide bomber approached Kharlechi checkpost from the other side of the border and blew himself up. Due to the blast, two people, including a soldier of the Frontier Corps, suffered injuries, but thankfully there were no deaths.

It was reported that timely action by the paramilitary forces curbed major catastrophe. Immediately after the attack, the checkpoints were sealed. Security along the borders has also increased following the attack.

Like Torkham crossing point, the federal government had planned to erect proper gate at Kherlachi check-post to block illegal trade, but so far it is not clear when that will happen.

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Posted by fatimaarshad on Oct 17 2016. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.