The Torkham border remained closed for a second day on Sunday, as Afghan border authorities continued work on the controversial security post close to the zero point.

Over 200 Afghan nationals, who had arrived at Torkham on Sunday morning with the hope of the border being reopened, returned to Peshawar after they were stopped from going through immigration.

Custom officials and clearing agents also stayed back while goods clearance was also halted on Saturday.

Pakistan’s Dawn News reported that several vehicles loaded with edibles and perishable items were sent back to Landi Kotal and Peshawar, after the abrupt closure of border late on Friday night.

Officials at the border said no direct talks were held between the border security officials of the two countries, explaining that Kabul and Islamabad had taken upon themselves to resolve the issue at a higher level, Dawn News reported.

Sources in the border area expressed apprehensions that despite Pakistan’s maximum restraint to keep tempers low, the highhandedness being shown by the Afghan authorities could turn the controversial development into an armed conflict between the neighbouring countries.

The sources disclosed that security forces on the Pakistani side of the Torkham border directed all stranded vehicles from the zero point towards the under-construction custom terminal for safety.