Taliban authorities have closed the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, an Afghan official said on Monday, and residents in the area reported the sound of gunfire near the normally bustling border transit point.
A Taliban provincial information official said the Torkham border crossing, near the Khyber Pass, was closed for all trade and travellers.
"The Pakistan side hadn't committed to their promises, they have promised to create facilities for transit, sick people and passengers," said Siddiqullah Quraishi, the head of the Afghan province of Nangahar's information department, as the reason for the closure.
He did not elaborate on the issues but said both sides were speaking to try to find a solution and denied there had been any violent clashes, saying the situation was under control.
Pakistan's foreign office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Pakistani military, police and government spokespeople were not immediately available for comment, but two Pakistani security officials in the region confirmed that the border had been closed and some gunfire had been exchanged.
Reuters
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