Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Intense gunfire and mortar shelling continued for the 13th straight day at the Torkham border, with heavy rounds striking customs compounds on both sides, sources said on Thursday.
They said that the escalating violence has paralyzed trade and left thousands of passengers stranded on both sides as tensions deepen on both sides of the border.
Officials said in the past 13 days, 11 security personnel have been reported injured, while two civilians were killed in firing from Afghanistan.
Afghan authorities confirmed the deaths of several of their soldiers in the past two weeks of firing.
The conflict, which erupted nearly two weeks ago on February 21 over a border construction dispute, has turned Torkham into a war zone. Both sides are accusing each other of initiating hostilities, while repeated attempts at de-escalation have failed.
The situation has caused immense hardship for traders, travelers and residents on both sides of the border.
Traders said the closure of Torkham has disrupted trade and halted the movement of thousands of people.
Torkham Custom Association president Mujeeb Khan Shinwari and trader Qari Nazeem Gul Shinwari said hundreds of trucks loaded with perishable goods remain stranded, resulting in significant economic losses. They said small businesses that rely on cross-border trade have also been hit hard, with traders staging protests and urging authorities to resolve the crisis.
Mujeeb said residents have reported growing concerns over safety as continuous gunfire and explosions keep the region on edge.
Despite diplomatic efforts, negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have yielded no breakthrough after several rounds of talks held in the past two weeks.
Both countries have reinforced their security presence with heavy guns and tanks and reports of additional troops being deployed. Residents fear that the situation has become increasingly volatile, and they fear that the clashes could escalate into a larger conflict.
The fighting intensified on Thursday as mortar shells struck customs facilities, sending shockwaves through the border town.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as security personnel and customs officials scrambled for cover. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, sources indicate that key infrastructure on both sides has suffered.
On the other hand, the prolonged standoff has drawn concern from regional and international observers, who have urged both governments to seek a peaceful resolution. With tensions showing no signs of easing, the Torkham border remained a flashpoint, raising fears of further escalation in the days ahead.
Pakistani authorities have asked residents of Bacha Mena border village to vacate their homes and shift to Landikotal, a nearby town some 7 kilometres from the Torkham border. Residents in Landikotal have also been informed to remain in their homes and keep the lights off at night.
All the loaded trucks have been sent back to Peshawar and other safer locations after several trucks were damaged in the recent crossfire.
Approximately 500 taxis and 800 drivers, daily wage earners, and small business owners have lost their livelihoods at the Torkham border. They have urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to restore peace between the two brotherly Muslim nations, allowing them to earn a living for their struggling families.
