NANGAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Communication and cooperation between Afghan and Pakistan border security forces is essential to the success of containing insurgents threatening both countries. To this end, the Afghan and Pakistan border security forces at Torkham Gate, held a Border Flag Meeting Feb. 28 with the 173rd Airborne’s Special Troops Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Milhorn, to address security and communication issues, as well as the upcoming opening of the Khyber Border Coordination Center.
Preventing insurgent operations in the border area requires constant communication between the Afghan and Pakistan border forces, said Milhorn. He hopes to improve the chances of catching insurgents by supplying the Afghan and Pakistan Border Police with radio equipment so they can speak directly with each other.
  The recent improvements at Torkham Gate, such as installing an X-ray machine to scan incoming cargo trucks and entering personnel who regularly cross the border into nationwide databases, are just some of the processes put in place to more efficiently regulate border operations.
  Pakistan Army Col. Qaiser Alam, Khyber Rifles’ commander, talked about the importance of all three organizations – the Afghan Border Police, Pakistan Border Police and U.S. military – pooling their resources to combat a common enemy.
“A terrorist is a terrorist,” Qaiser said. “He has no nationality, no religion, no color.”
The meeting moved to the roof of the border checkpoint on the Pakistan side to take in a full view of the bustling Afghan border station across the bridge and plans were discussed about future changes. Part of these plans, Colonel Qaiser hopes, wisll include newer facilities on his side of the border, alleviating some of the burden from the Afghan side.
Right now, there is no paperless communication between the Afghan, Pakistan and U.S. forces, and although only a few hundred feet apart, the checkpoints work virtually independent of each other.
  Improving the forces cooperation between each other will ultimately benefit both sides.
“Estimates by experts indicate that (Torkham Gate) has the potential to generate $350 million in revenue each year – money that could be put back into government projects.” said Army Maj. Scott Sonsalla, Special Troops Battalion’s executive officer. “Our goal is to improve the country through prosperity and security. Closing the border to illegal traffic does both.”
Representatives from the Pakistan and Afghan security forces are looking forward to the Khyber Border Coordination Center opening and all organizations involved in securing the Afghan/Pakistan border have a dedicated point to consistently exchange ideas and information.