A Pakistani army statement says the two sides agreed to reopen the Torkham crossing after a meeting between Afghan Ambassador Omer Zakhilwal and Pakistan’s military chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif.
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A spokesman for the Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) General Asim Bajwa said the two sides agreed to resume routine border traffic at the Torkham border.
Both sides expressed resolve to continue efforts in fighting terrorism and bring lasting peace in the region.
The Pakistani officials had undertaken the job to check illegal movement on the border and frustrate infiltration of unwanted elements.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday when Pakistani authorities began installing a fence at “a vulnerable portion” of the border crossing to ensure better management and stop any illegal movement.
The sources said that Pakistan sent army troops and additional Khasadar Force and Frontier Corps personnel on the border on Thursday in retaliation to Afghanistan’s reinforcement of its troops and border security forces along the border. However, officials claim these plans have never reached fruition owing to a lukewarm response from Afghanistan.
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Families waiting to cross the border into Afghanistan told Al Jazeera they wanted to go back to their homeland and start a new life after spending nearly three decades as refugees in Pakistan.
