KABUL - As insecurity escalates in northern Afghanistan, Badakhshan residents living along the border with Tajikistan have had their unlimited cross-border access stopped.

Darwaz, Ishkashim and Maimay districts all share a border with Tajikistan and residents from these areas have until now crossed freely in order to do their shopping.

But these resident have called on government to talk with Tajik officials to reopen the border saying otherwise they will be faced with major problems.

"When insecurity increases in any part of Badakhshan it mostly affects us because we live near the border with Tajikistan. Our problems have increased since the day the border was closed for us," said Ahmadullah a resident of Maimay district.

The district chief of Maimay Dawlat Mohammad meanwhile said that Tajikistan has also stopped issuing visas to Afghan villagers who live near its border.\

"Tajikistan has closed its borders and stopped issuing visas to Afghans. Also prices in shops have risen steeply now as we live in snowy weather for seven months every year," he said.

Meanwhile, military analysts from Tajikistan say increasing insecurity has pushed Tajik officials to close the border in order to beef up its own security and also security of other Central Asian countries.

"After increasing insecurity in northern Afghanistan, Tajikistan has enforced strict rules in order to prevent militants from entering the country," said Ismail Rahmatzada, a military analyst from Tajikistan.

Darwaz has the longest border with Tajikistan. For local residents in Badakhshan a trip to the provincial capital Faizabad can take up to 18 days but to get across the border to shop is much quicker, said locals. (Tolonews)