Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes ease, thousands seek shelter

Overnight clashes between Pakistani and Afghan security forces at the main border crossing led to widespread panic and forced around 15,000 local residents to flee their homes.

The incidents, which began on Monday—the first working day of Ramadan when food imports typically surge—resulted in Afghan border guards opening fire without warning, targeting both government buildings and civilians.

Local residents have been affected significantly by the border disruptions. “The tensions between the two countries and the continuous closure of the border have been causing multiple problems to the people of the border area,” said Ali Shinwari, a resident of the affected town. In response, relatives and tribesmen in nearby communities have taken in dozens of displaced individuals, providing temporary shelter.

The Torkham crossing, a crucial transit point for travelers and goods between Pakistan and Afghanistan, has been closed since February 21 due to a dispute over the construction of a border-area outpost by Afghanistan. This closure has had a substantial impact on trade, with Pakistan’s foreign office reporting that bilateral trade was worth over $1.6 billion in 2024. The shutdown has also stranded approximately 5,000 trucks carrying essential goods, resulting in estimated losses of at least $15 million, according to Yousaf Afridi, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries for Pakistan's Khyber district.

Both sides have reported casualties, with the Taliban-run Afghan Interior Ministry stating that one Taliban fighter was killed and two injured, while Pakistani security officials confirmed that their forces had also sustained injuries during the clashes. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to respond to requests for comment.

While the situation has calmed by Tuesday morning, the ongoing closure and intermittent clashes continue to disrupt daily life and trade in the region, highlighting the persistent challenges along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

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