Afghanistan-Pakistan border sealed after clashes

ISLAMABAD, Oct 16: Major part of border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed on Monday following clashes between the two countries’ security forces, leaving hundreds of people and vehicles stranded on both sides.
The Chamman-Spin Boldak border crossing was shut on Sunday after an exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces that lasted for several hours, officials in both countries said.
The clashes erupted when Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani soldiers who were trying to erect a fence along the disputed border between the two neighbors.
“We are ready to defend our soil in any case,” Zia Durani, a spokesman for the police chief in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province, told RFE/RL Both sides blamed each other for the closure of the border crossing.
Pakistan said it is building a fence along its volatile border with Afghanistan to improve security, a move that has sparked condemnations in Kabul.
(UNI)