Torkham border crossing closed for pedestrians after clash between FIA, FC officials

• Five people injured in clash, say hospital sources. 
• FIA alleges FC staff interfering with immigration powers.
• FIA immigration staff also closes offices in protest.

KHYBER: A clash beetween the officials of the Frontier Corps (FC) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has led to the closure of pedestrian traffic at the Torkham border crossing between Afghainstan and Pakistan, security sources told Geo News on Sunday. 

According to security sources, the NADRA point at the Torkham border crossing has been closed after the clash and several people going to Afghanistan via the border have been stuck in the middle. 

Meanwhile, the hospital sources said that five people have been injured in the scuffle and have been shifted to Landi Kotal Hospital. Moreover, their condition is out of danger.

The FIA alleges that the FC staff was interfering with immigration matters. However, the sources said, the fight broke out after the FC officials continued to intervene despite being asked to stop. 

Following this, the FIA immigration staff also closed offices in protest, added the sources. 

Meanwhile, FC sources said that the security of the border is their responsibility. 

“FC officials keep a close watch on passengers for security,” they added.

The road is a key lifeline for Afghanistan, linking the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar to Jalalabad, the main city in Nangarhar, and the route onwards to the capital, Kabul.

The Torkham border point is the main point of transit for travellers and goods between both countries.