ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR:
The Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban fighters exchanged fire at the main Torkham border crossing in the wee hours of Monday, following their failed talks to reopen the crossing, in which at least one Afghan border guard was killed and two others were injured.
Four Pakistani FC personnel and civilian also sustained injuries during the skirmishes, while one civilian died in stampede caused by the heavy firing. A village nearby was also evacuated because of the firing, sources said.
The Torkham border, which has been closed since February 21, heated up after the talks between the two sides for reopening the crossing failed. Sources said that the firing continued until after the Sehri time. There was no official word from Pakistan, but the Afghan Taliban confirmed the skirmishes.
The Afghan interior ministry said on Monday that the firing took place overnight and that one Taliban fighter had been killed and two injured. Pakistani sources said that at least three security personnel were wounded in the clash.
The two neighbours have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several terrorist attacks that have occurred in the country were launched from the Afghan soil – a charge the Taliban deny. Pakistani military aircraft carried out strikes that killed dozens on Afghan territory in December.
The latest clashes reportedly began around midnight and continued intermittently until 6am. During the Afghan attack, a Pakistani mortar post was damaged, while Pakistan retaliated by targeting the Jungle Post and Khwar Post on the Afghan side.
According to reports, a truck driver suffered heart attack and passed away amid panic caused by the clashes. The latest clashes escalated the tensions, as Pakistan, in response to the clashes, deployed additional forces at the border.
Following the clashes, local sources said, the residents of Bacha Mena, a village near the border, were evacuated to Landi Kotal. Bacha Mena is home to the Shinwari Khugakhel tribe, including some Afghan nationals, the sources added. The injured were also taken to district headquarters hospital in Landikotal.
The skirmish occurred just a day after security officials from both sides held negotiations at the border, raising expectations that the crossing – closed for the past 10 daysmight reopen soon. The closure has severely impacted local populations, traders, and travellers, causing significant economic losses.
A large number of passengers and cargo vehicles remain stranded at the border because of the latest standoff that was triggered by Afghan authorities’ attempts to construct a checkpoint at a disputed location, leading to Pakistan’s objections and subsequent escalation of tensions.
Since the Taliban’s interim government took power in Afghanistan, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has been closed multiple times, prompting the Afghan traders to shift their focus toward Central Asian countries and Iran.
Locals claimed that the tensions at the Torkham crossing had become a recurring issue, leading to frequent closures. The closures caused major difficulties for traders, transporters, and patients, seeking medical treatment in Pakistan.
According to the traders, approximately 2,500 trucks and containers were stuck on the Pakistani side due to the current closure. A senior Pakistani official blamed the Afghan government for the current situation while acknowledging that frequent border closure was not good for improving trade.
The official said that Pakistan wanted to deepen trade ties as it was constructing new trade terminals at Torkham and Chaman to improve the movement of goods. Reports suggest that the Torkham terminal is expected to be inaugurated by March 25.
“If Pakistan were against trade why would it upgrade the facility at the border,” asked the official. The official advised the Afghan Taliban government to mend its ways and address the genuine concerns of Pakistan.
The data showed that Pakistan and Afghanistan trade worth $3 million per day — $1.6 million worth imports and $1.4 million exports – excluding the transit trade figures. The Afghan Chamber of Commerce told The Express Tribune that 10-day losses to the Pakistani exchequer top $27 million.
