Torkham Border closed following Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes

Following renewed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Torkham border crossing has been closed for all kinds of movement, including trade and pedestrian traffic.

According to official sources, the closure was ordered after an exchange of fire and heightened tension between border forces from both sides late last night. As a result, all commercial activities and cross-border movement of travelers have been suspended, and cargo trucks have been shifted to Landi Kotal.

Sources confirmed that the closure has halted all trade and pedestrian crossings, leaving people on both sides of the border facing serious difficulties. For now, the border remains completely sealed due to the prevailing situation.

It is worth mentioning that a similar incident occurred earlier this year on February 21, when cross-border movement at Torkham was abruptly suspended following disagreements between Pakistani and Afghan security forces over construction activities near the frontier.

The situation further deteriorated in March, when exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban troops left at least eight people injured, including six soldiers. Several houses, a mosque, and customs clearing offices were damaged by artillery shelling, and cross-border firing continued for three days.

Subsequently, tribal elders from both sides engaged in negotiations to defuse the situation. The Pakistani jirga reminded its Afghan counterparts that the border would only reopen once mutually agreed protocols were fully observed, particularly those prohibiting any new construction near the zero point.

Afghan authorities reportedly responded positively and instructed their border forces to refrain from renovating or rebuilding the disputed Zangali post, which had become a point of contention.

Customs officials in Torkham stated that the previous closure had caused daily trade losses of around USD 1.5 million, while Pakistan’s export halt and suspended imports from Afghanistan resulted in an estimated loss of PKR 545 million.

After 27 days of closure, successful talks between jirga members from both sides led to the reopening of the border.

During that period, over 5,000 cargo trucks remained stranded, causing significant financial losses to traders and transporters alike.