A crucial border crossing at Torkham between Pakistan and Afghanistan has remained blocked for over a week. The shutdown happened after an exchange of fire took place in a dispute over an under-construction Afghan outpost. This resulted in hundreds of vehicles carrying crucial products, commercial convoys and travellers being trapped on both sides.

Traders said that the fruits and vegetables in the trucks were getting spoiled. Discussions between the Pakistani and Afghani authorities remained stalled. The stalemate arose as Taliban soldiers began erecting a new security station near the Torkham border, which Pakistan regards as a breach of mutual accords.