Gunfire Exchange at Afghan-Pakistan Border Crossing

Pakistani and Afghan forces exchanged gunfire throughout the night at a crucial border crossing in the northwest, which has remained closed for more than a week due to a disagreement between the two countries. This information was revealed by officials on Monday.
In Kabul, the Interior Ministry reported that one Afghan security guard was killed and another was wounded during an incident at the Torkham crossing. This crossing has been shut down for 11 days as a result of Pakistan’s objections to Afghanistan’s construction of a new border outpost in the area.
Historically, Torkham and the southwestern Chaman border crossings have been closed multiple times due to violent confrontations and gunfire exchanges. These crossings play an essential role in facilitating the flow of trade and travel between Pakistan and the landlocked nation of Afghanistan.
A Pakistani official, opting to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media, claimed that Taliban forces initiated an unprovoked attack early Monday morning. According to him, they targeted Pakistan’s border post using automatic firearms, prompting Pakistani forces to retaliate.
On the other hand, Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesman for Kabul’s Interior Ministry, accused Pakistan of starting the hostilities. He stated that the Afghan border police had attempted to address the conflict through dialogue. “Despite our efforts, they (Pakistan) continued the confrontation, forcing our security forces to adopt a defensive stance and respond,” said Qani.
While Qani mentioned that Pakistan also faced casualties and damage to their border posts, he did not specify the number.
The closure has left thousands of trucks and vehicles idling on both sides of the Torkham crossing. Consequently, many individuals have found themselves stuck under harsh winter conditions.
Shakirullah Safi, who leads the Nangarhar Chamber of Commerce and Investment, expressed the economic toll on Afghan businesses. He reported that Afghan traders are incurring daily losses of $500,000 due to the shutdown.
“With the gate operational, 600 to 700 vehicles typically transit between us and Pakistan, facilitating exports and imports,” explained Safi. “Currently, there are 5,000 containers stuck on both sides, completely immobilized. Afghan traders are facing significant losses as they operate across both nations.”