Kokcha News Agency – On Sunday, Pakistan closed its major border crossings with Afghanistan, including Torkham and Chaman, in response to escalating tensions and clashes with Taliban forces. Local Pakistani officials also confirmed the closure of three additional minor crossings in Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan.
The decision to close the crossings came after Taliban forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts on Saturday night. The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense stated that the attack was in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week, which targeted areas inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan responded with artillery and heavy weapons fire, claiming to have destroyed several Taliban border posts in the counterattack. According to Pakistani security officials, the clashes continued into Sunday morning, with sporadic gunfire still reported in the Kurram region.
Local residents and officials have confirmed the ongoing tensions along the border.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid addressed the situation on Sunday, stating, “There is no threat in any part of Afghan territory.” However, the Taliban has yet to issue an official response to the closure of the border crossings.
Afghanistan, a landlocked country, shares a 2,600-kilometer border with Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban government of harboring militants who carry out attacks in Pakistan, a claim that Kabul denies.
According to a Pakistani security official, Thursday’s airstrikes in Kabul targeted the leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that seeks to overthrow the Pakistani government and impose a strict Islamic regime. The TTP has historically had close ties with the Afghan Taliban.
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