KABUL, Afghanistan—Clashes erupted again on Wednesday between Taliban forces and Pakistani border guards at the Torkham crossing, a key border point between Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to local sources.
Pakistani media outlets reported that fighting broke out in the afternoon near the Torkham border crossing. Footage reviewed by Amu TV showed both sides using light and heavy weaponry during the confrontation.
The renewed violence comes as the border crossing has remained closed for 13 days, disrupting trade and travel between the two countries.
Local sources told Amu that three journalists were injured when Pakistani border forces fired mortars along the frontier. The wounded journalists, who were covering the situation at the crossing, were identified as reporters from Shamshad TV, Pajhwok News Agency, and Radio Hurriyat.
There have been no official statements from either the Taliban or the Pakistani government regarding the clashes or casualties.
The prolonged closure of the Torkham crossing has left commercial goods stranded on both sides of the border, worsening economic hardships for traders and transport workers.
“We have been stuck here for more than 12 days, and it has caused us serious financial losses,” said Hikmat Khan, a truck driver at the border. “There are no facilities, no hotels, and not even drinking water. We want the border to reopen as soon as possible.”
The closure has also affected travelers, many of whom remain stranded in difficult conditions.
“We have been stuck here for several days, and the situation is unbearable,” said Naumanullah, a passenger waiting at the crossing. “It is the holy month of Ramadan, and we don’t even have food or water.”
Pakistani authorities initially shut down the Torkham crossing nearly two weeks ago, citing security concerns and tensions over border infrastructure built by the Taliban. Talks aimed at reopening the border have so far failed, with hostilities escalating into armed clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani troops.
At least one civilian has been killed in the fighting, along with one Taliban fighter, while two Taliban members and three Pakistani soldiers have been wounded, according to local sources.
Torkham remains one of the most important transit points between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Thousands of trucks carrying commercial goods pass through the crossing daily, with Pakistani exports moving first into Afghanistan and then on to Central Asian markets.
The continued closure threatens to deepen economic strains on both sides of the border, as traders and transporters await a resolution to the standoff.
