Afghan Taliban take over key border crossing with Pakistan

The Taliban continued making key advances as foreign troops withdraw from the war-ravaged country, taking over the important Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan Wednesday. 

Pakistan's Levies officials confirmed the development, saying that security on the Chaman border is on high alert following the development. 

"The (Taliban) Mujahideen have captured an important border town called Wesh in Kandahar," Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a statement.

"With this, the important road between (Spin) Boldak and Chaman and Kandahar customs have come under Mujahideen control."

"The Taliban has taken control of the Afghan side of the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing," a Pakistani security source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"They have raised their flag and removed the Afghan flag."

The Taliban have launched a widespread offensive across the countryside since early May when US-led foreign forces began their final withdrawal of troops.

Since then, the group has captured at least three other crossings along the borders with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.

After seizing control of the Chaman crossing point Friendship Gate, the Taliban have called on citizens and traders to not use the crossing point today.

Pakistan has also suspended activities at the Chaman crossing point in light of the recent development.

"The Pak-Afghan border at Chaman is on high alert," said Levies officials. "Additional security has been deployed at the gate."

Levies officials confirmed that all border crossing points along the Afghan border at Chaman are under the control of the Taliban.

"We are in contact with the local leadership of the Taliban on resuming trade and movement of people," said Levies officials.

The Levies officials admitted that the situation at the Chaman border, currently, was uncertain.