Latest exchange of fire took place near Torkham border crossing in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province
By Mehrab Shah Afridi
KABUL: Taliban authorities have accused Pakistani forces of killing three civilians—a woman and two children—in an exchange of fire near the Torkham border crossing on Monday. The clash, which took place in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, has further strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry, Pakistani forces targeted civilian homes, leading to the deaths. “Pakistani forces targeted civilian houses and killed a woman and two children,” Qani stated in a social media post early Tuesday. Enayatullah Khwarazmi, the spokesperson for Afghanistan’s defense ministry, supported this claim, accusing Pakistani forces of initiating the conflict. Khwarazmi explained that the clash began when Pakistani soldiers opened fire on Afghan forces who were attempting to build a post along the disputed Durand Line.
On the Pakistani side, a border official at Torkham reported that three Pakistani soldiers were wounded in the exchange. The official stated that Afghan officials had ignored repeated warnings from Pakistan regarding the construction activities, which contributed to the escalation of tensions. “Despite repeated warnings and objections from the Pakistani side, Afghan officials did not halt the construction, leading to escalating tensions,” the officer told AFP.
The Torkham border crossing has been closed as a result of the clash, with heavy weapons reportedly used by both sides. Pakistani officials have yet to comment on the allegations concerning the civilian casualties. The border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been rising since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has frequently accused the Taliban of allowing militant groups to launch attacks from Afghan territory, a claim the Taliban government denies.
Additionally, there is significant discontent over Pakistan’s ongoing construction of a fence along the Durand Line, a 2,400-kilometer boundary drawn by the British in 1896 that remains a point of contention between the two nations. The recent incident highlights the ongoing volatility and complex dynamics of the border region, where disputes over territory and construction continue to fuel conflict and hinder diplomatic efforts.
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