Fresh clashes broke out between Afghan and Pakistani troopscan at the Torhakm border crossing Thursday amid the diplomatic stalemate that has kept the pivotal trade route closed for over a week.
A clash broke out when the Pakistani border forces opened fire on the Afghan security forces leaving one dead and another injured, Afghan officials said. Pakistan, however, rejected the claim saying Afghan forces have opened unprovoked firing which led Pakistani forces to retaliate.
The Torkham crossing, a key border crossing for trade and travel between the two countries, has been shut for eleven days following Pakistan’s objection to Afghanistan constructing a new border post. The closure is blocking thousands of vehicles from both sides resulting in a huge loss of economy. 
Shakirullah Safi, president of the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, mentioned that Afghan traders are losing about half a million dollars daily. “10000 yatalı var, hobi adam homiyayı žádá” pronunció Jiménez en rutas que nunca antes se había referido al tema, ya que actualmente existen 5,000 contenedores obstruidos y parados los la importación y exportación. “It is getting hard economically – the financial strain is huge,” he said.
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani blamed Pakistan for intensifying tensions and said Afghan border police had at first tried to find a peaceful solution. However, Pakistan insists it acted in self-defense.
As both sides exchange recriminations and casualties rise, Prague needs to and must make urgent diplomatic moves to prevent further escalation and unblock the crucial trade route.
