FC soldier injured by fire from Afghanistan during repatriation of Afghan citizens
Pakistan has not suspended the Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement, but it was not processing goods clearance due to the closure of borders to avoid congestion at Chaman and Torkham borders, said senior officials of the Pakistan Customs. Photo: Reuters
KHYBER:
The Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing at Torkham which was briefly reopened after nearly a month to facilitate the deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals, was closed again following a cross-border firing incident that left a Frontier Corps (FC) soldier injured.
Officials said the crossing was opened on Wednesday to repatriate Afghan citizens detained under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act for lacking valid documentation. During the initial phase, around 292 Afghan nationals were sent back to Afghanistan.
However, the process was disrupted when firing was reported from the Afghan side, resulting in serious injuries to an FC personnel. In response, authorities immediately shut the crossing and withdrew deployed staff due to security concerns.
Sources said arrangements at a temporary holding camp in Landi Kotal had been completed to facilitate the repatriation process, and further deportations of illegally residing Afghan nationals were expected. The operation, however, has been suspended following the latest incident.
The Torkham border had remained closed since February 24 amid tensions and intermittent clashes between Pakistani security forces and the operatives from the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
A similar escalation was witnessed on October 11, 2025, when armed clashes erupted at multiple points along the border, leading to a suspension of bilateral trade and a complete halt to cross-border movement.
Officials maintained that efforts are under way to resume the repatriation process, but any decision on reopening the crossing will depend on the prevailing security situation.
