Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDI KOTAL
The Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remained closed for a second consecutive day on Sunday following heavy clashes between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces that left dozens dead on both sides.
According to official intense fighting erupted late Saturday night along multiple sections of the Pak-Afghan border, including Torkham, Chaman, and Kurram. Both sides exchanged heavy artillery and gunfire through the night, causing significant casualties and damage to border installations.
Pakistan’s military confirmed that at least 23 soldiers were killed in the fighting, while several others were injured. Afghan Taliban officials, however, claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, admitting the loss of nine of their own fighters. Independent verification of the figures remains unavailable.
Following the clashes, Pakistan shut down all major crossings with Afghanistan including Torkham, Chaman, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan halting trade convoys and pedestrian movement. The closure has badly affected the local economy, leaving transporters, traders and daily commuters stranded on both sides of the border.
Local business communities in Khyber district and Nangarhar province have expressed deep concern over the suspension of trade, urging both governments to keep commercial activity separate from political or military disputes.
“We depend entirely on this route for our livelihood,” said Haji Fazal Malik, a transporter from Landikotal. “Every time the border closes, hundreds of families suffer because our trucks, goods and drivers are stuck for days.”
Regional observers say tensions have been building for weeks over Pakistan’s demand that the Afghan Taliban act against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghan soil.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, speaking during a visit to India, said Kabul wanted peace but warned of “other options” if hostilities continued. International actors, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have called for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.
Hundreds of loaded and empty trucks stranded on both sides of the border due to the ongoing tension escalated followed by gun clash for hours.
Traders and transporters appealed to the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve the issue through table talks as war and conflict were not the ultimate solution of differences. They said millions of rupees losses due to the closure of the border.
