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Pak-Afghan Border Tensions Escalate Amid Heavy Gunfire
Heavy clashes at the Pak-Afghan Torkham border! Artillery & tank fire exchanged, residents flee, and traders face $1.5M daily losses due to closure.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-05
Pak-Afghan Border Tensions Escalate Amid Heavy Gunfire

The Pak-Afghan border at Torkham turned into a battlefield once again on Monday evening as border forces from both nations exchanged heavy gunfire, including artillery and tank fire.

The latest round of cross-border fighting began when residents in nearby areas were offering Ramazan Taraweeh prayers. As shells rained down, many were forced to flee, seeking refuge in mosques, railway tunnels, or behind vehicles. Some locals reported that a mosque was among the structures hit by Afghan fire.

Intense Shelling and Growing Fears

Eyewitnesses claim that Pakistani forces launched intense shelling from Landi Kotal camp and nearby hilltop checkposts, while Afghan forces responded with intermittent and moderate firing. The skirmish lasted until dawn on Tuesday, with Pakistani forces remaining on high alert in their bunkers.

A local resident, Shah Jehan, described the harrowing night. “Many of us had to take shelter wherever possible—some in railway tunnels, some inside mosques, and others under their vehicles,” he said. Transporters, already suffering due to the prolonged border closure, were left stranded amid the chaos, fearing attacks on their cargo.

Economic Losses and Border Closure Impact

The closure of the Torkham border has created a severe economic crisis, with nearly 5,000 trucks carrying export goods stranded on the Pakistani side. Customs officials estimate a daily loss of $1.5 million, affecting both traders and the national economy.

Torkham serves as a critical transit point for trade and pedestrian movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The ongoing law and order situation in Kurram has further shifted trade traffic towards Torkham, increasing reliance on this route.

Border Standoff and Uncertain Future

Tensions at the border have been rising since February 21, when Pakistani and Afghan officials clashed over modifications and renovations to border structures. The standoff led to the complete closure of cross-border movement, with both sides refusing to negotiate.

Optimism for a resolution briefly surfaced after a flag meeting on Sunday, where officials hinted at a possible reopening. However, Monday’s sudden escalation dashed hopes, pushing the situation into further uncertainty.

Meanwhile, hundreds of stranded Afghan nationals sought refuge in mosques in Landi Kotal, where a local youth organization provided them with food and warm clothing.

With no official confirmation of casualties and security officials remaining tight-lipped about the reason behind the clash, the future of border relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains uncertain. Observers fear that continued hostilities could worsen the humanitarian and economic situation on both sides.
Tagged:

BorderTensions

PakAfghanBorder

TorkhamClashes

TradeDisruption
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