Taliban claim control of Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan

KANDAHAR: The Taliban captured the strategic border crossing of Spin Boldak on the frontier with Pakistan Wednesday, continuing sweeping gains made since foreign forces stepped up their withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan´s interior ministry denied the insurgents had taken the area even as social media was flooded with pictures of Taliban fighters relaxing in the frontier town. Residents also told AFP it was in the Taliban´s hands.

Spin Boldak is the latest in a string of border crossings and dry ports seized by the Taliban in recent weeks, with the insurgents looking to choke off much-needed revenue from the government in Kabul while also filling their own coff

But Afghan officials insisted they were still in control. “The terrorist Taliban had some movements near the border area... The security forces have repelled the attack,” interior ministry spokesman Tareq Arian told AFP.

Residents disputed the governmen’s claims, however.

In Chaman, media reports said the border crossing was completely sealed for traveling and trade after the insurgents took control of the Afghan side of the friendship gate. The Taliban had barred citizens and traders from using the border crossing on Wednesday, while authorities in Pakistan also suspended all activities at the Chaman crossing point.