Local sources in the Momand Dara district of eastern Nangarhar province reported that at least eight people were killed and 20 others wounded in an armed clash between Taliban and Pakistani border forces that erupted on Wednesday morning.
Among the dead are two Taliban forces, two Pakistani guards, and four children from Afghanistan, the sources said. 16 civilians from Afghanistan and four from Pakistan also sustained injuries.
The sources added that the skirmish resulted in a substantial loss of property.
Taliban’s Interior Ministry blamed Pakistani border guards for starting the deadly clash which occurred when the Pakistani guards withstood the Taliban forces to set up a security check post close to the Torkham crossing gate.
Abdul Basir Zabuli, Taliban’s security spokesman in Nangarhar, said that the fighting has ceased lately.
Pakistani officials have not yet commented.
However, Torkham, which is the main point of transit for travelers and goods between the two neighbors, remains closed until further notice.
Similar armed clashes, often resulting in causalities, have occurred between Taliban and Pakistan border forces since the Taliban overtook power in Afghanistan two years ago.
