LANDI KOTAL: Three volunteers of a pro-government armed group were killed in a clash with militants in Bazaar Zakhakhel area in Landi Kotal on Saturday.

Sources said that members of Taw­he­edul Islam, the pro-government group, and the proscribed Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) used heavy weapons in the fighting.

Clashes between the two groups have intensified since the military launched an operation against the LI in Bara and Tirah valley.

BORDR CROSSING: A dispute between the border security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan over construction of a fence on the Pakistani side led to brief closure of Torkham border crossing on Saturday.

Pakistani authorities had decided two weeks ago to construct a footpath and erect steel fencing to regulate traffic and ease pedestrians’ movement.

The engineering corps of the army started work on the project on Saturday.

But Afghan border officials objected to the work, saying they had not been taken into confidence about it.

An argument between guards on the two sides led to the closure of border crossing for about half an hour, suspending cross-border traffic.

The border crossing was reopened after officials of the two sides held a meeting.

The Afghan delegation was led by Nangarhar Commis­sioner Hijratullah and the Pakistani team by Political Tehsildar of Torkham, Nek Mohammad.

They agreed that the issue would be discussed at higher level and no construction would be carried out on either side within 30 metres of the border.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2014