Pakistan has shut the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan after Afghan Taliban authorities began “construction of trenches and other development work” near the frontier, a senior Pakistani police official said on Sunday.
The crossing was closed late Friday night, suspending all pedestrian and trade movement between the two neighbouring countries, though no skirmishes have been reported.
“It [Torkham crossing] is closed both for pedestrians and heavy vehicles since 12 at night on Feb. 21. No firing is reported from either side,” said Naheed Khan, a senior police official in Pakistan’s Khyber district.
Residents of Bacha Mina, a village near the border on the Pakistani side, have begun leaving for safer locations as a precaution, while some loaded trucks have returned to Jamrud Bazaar, according to Khan. There has been no immediate response from Afghan authorities regarding the closure.
The move comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of harbouring militant groups that launch cross-border attacks, a claim Afghan officials deny.
In recent months, border disputes have led to the closure of key crossings, severely disrupting trade and movement. In August, the Torkham border was shut for three days after the Afghan Taliban accused Pakistani fighter jets of violating Afghan airspace.
Tensions flared again in December following reported Pakistani airstrikes on alleged militant hideouts in Afghanistan, which Kabul claimed resulted in civilian casualties.
