Islamabad: There was an exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban security forces at the main border crossing of Torkham border. At least one Afghan border guard was killed.
According to sources, the clashes started after the Afghan side resorted to firing. It should be noted that the Torkham border crossing has been closed since February 21. The exchange of fire between the two sides came a few hours after talks to reopen the Torkham border crossing failed.
There was no official statement from Pakistan, but the Afghan Taliban confirmed the clashes. The Afghan Interior Ministry said on Monday that the firing took place overnight and one Taliban fighter was killed and two were injured.
Pakistani sources said that three FC personnel and a civilian were injured. Relations between the two countries are tense. Pakistan has been saying that many terrorist attacks in the country were launched from Afghan soil. The Afghan Taliban have been rejecting this allegation.
According to reports, a truck driver in Pakistan suffered a heart attack and died amid the panic caused by the clash. Local sources said that residents of Bacha Mina village near the border were shifted to Landi Kotal after the clashes. The clashes reportedly started around midnight and continued intermittently till 6 am. The situation remained calm after that. Pakistan has deployed additional personnel on the border. A Pakistani mortar post was damaged during the attack by Afghan forces. Pakistan targeted Jangal Post and Khowar Post on the Afghan side in retaliation. The clash came just a day before the talks between security officials from both sides, which had raised hopes that the crossing could reopen soon. The closure of the Torkham border crossing has badly affected local populations, traders and travelers. It has caused considerable economic losses. The latest standoff began with Afghan authorities trying to build a checkpoint at the disputed site. A large number of passengers and freight vehicles were stranded at the border. Locals claim that tension at the Torkham crossing has become a recurring issue. There are frequent closures. The closure has caused severe hardship to traders, transporters and patients seeking treatment in Pakistan. According to traders, about 2,500 trucks and containers are stranded on the Pakistani side due to the current closure. A senior Pakistani official said that Pakistan wants to deepen trade ties and is building new trade terminals at Torkham and Chaman to improve trade flows. The inauguration of the Torkham terminal is expected by March 25. Due to the closure of the trade corridor, an average of $27 million worth of bilateral trade could not take place. An average of $3 million worth of bilateral trade is done daily.
