- Pakistan and Afghanistan forces exchanged fire at the Torkham border, killing at least one person.
- The border has been closed since February 21 due to Pakistan’s concerns over an Afghan border post.
- Thousands of trucks carrying goods remain stranded, causing trade disruptions.
- Many Afghans seeking medical treatment and work in Pakistan are stuck at the crossing.
- The border clash highlights ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries.
Gunfire broke out at the Torkham border, killing one Taliban officer. The shootout started Sunday night and dragged on until Monday morning. Tensions had already been rising since Pakistan shut the crossing on February 21. Islamabad said it acted due to security concerns over Afghanistan’s new border post construction.
The Torkham border links Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province with Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It plays a key role in trade and travel. However, the closure has left thousands of trucks stranded, causing major delays. Essential goods like fruits and vegetables can’t move, adding to the crisis.
Pakistan strongly opposed Afghanistan’s border post project, saying there was no prior agreement. Talks failed, making the situation worse. Eventually, the dispute turned violent. Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry, told TOLO News that Pakistani forces fired first. He confirmed that two more Taliban officers got injured in the clash.
Struggles of Stranded Afghans
The closure of the Torkham border has severely affected thousands of Afghans who rely on daily crossings into Pakistan for medical treatment, education, and employment. Many travelers, including students and patients, remain stranded on both sides.
Hassan Khan, an Afghan student studying in Pakistan, is among those affected. “We thought we’d stay with our families for a day or two before returning to our studies. But now, we’ve been stuck for two weeks,” he told Arab News. He urged authorities to reopen the crossing to allow people to return to their commitments.
Tensions at Torkham: A Border of Conflict
The Torkham border remains a crucial land crossing between the two countries. Since Afghanistan is landlocked, it depends on Pakistan for trade routes. Many Afghan traders, workers, and families constantly move across this border. So, whenever disruptions occur, their daily lives get affected. This makes the crossing an essential link for both nations.
Over the years, clashes have frequently erupted at Torkham and Chaman crossings. These disputes mostly come from long-standing tensions over border demarcation and security concerns. Since both sides have different views on territorial boundaries, conflicts keep happening. As a result, relations between the two countries remain strained.
Many experts believe Pakistan’s border policies aim to pressure Afghanistan. Political analyst Ahmad Zia Rahimzai explained, “Pakistan periodically closes these routes as leverage to push Afghanistan into meeting its demands. This creates further instability.” Every closure disrupts trade, blocks movement, and increases regional tensions, making things worse for ordinary people.
Both governments regularly accuse each other of supporting militants. Pakistan insists Afghan soil shelters insurgents who attack its territory. However, the Taliban-led Afghan government strongly denies these claims. This ongoing blame game fuels mistrust, and the latest border clash only adds to the growing security concerns.
What’s Next?
Afghan and Pakistani officials will keep negotiating, but for now, tensions show no sign of easing. Without a solid agreement on border security, the same problems will likely return. In fact, past patterns make it clear that quick fixes never last. So, only a long-term plan can bring real stability.
Meanwhile, the Torkham border closure is making life even harder for many people. As a result, businesses are struggling, and humanitarian issues are getting worse. On top of that, diplomatic relations are growing more strained. Until both sides reach a solution, thousands will remain stuck in the middle of these ongoing tensions.