PAN, December 29, 2012

13 Afghan children die at Torkham

The death toll increased to 13 on Saturday as another 10 children frozen to death

By Mahbob Shah Mahbob

Another 10 minor Afghan children died of extreme cold at the Torkham border-crossing after their families were stranded due to the closure of the gate by Pakistani authorities, officials said on Saturday.

Three sick children died on Friday when Pakistani guards closed the border in protest against alleged torture of Pakistani truck drivers by Afghan police. The death toll increased to 13 on Saturday as another 10 children frozen to death, said Idrees Momand, first zone border police spokesman in eastern Nangarhar province.

Salim, who owns a shop on the Pakistani side of the border, said eight children passed away last night due to extreme weather conditions.

Thousands of people have been stranded in traffic on both sides of the border, he said, adding the stranded people were unable to book rooms in jampacked inns and hotels.

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