Taliban Confirms Fighter Killed In Torkham Border Clash With Pakistani Forces

On Monday, the Taliban embassy stated on the social media platform X that the meeting focused on increasing cooperation in exports and imports via Chabahar, a strategic port in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province that serves as a vital trade corridor between India and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

India has been actively working to utilise Chabahar port to reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on Pakistan and strengthen its economic ties with the Taliban. According to Al Jazeera, this trade route could enhance India’s influence in the region, providing an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz and maritime corridors where Pakistan holds significant control.

Amid escalating tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban, the group appears to be forging closer relations with Pakistan’s long-time rival, India. Earlier in January, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Vikram Misri, India’s Deputy Foreign Minister, in Dubai to discuss regional developments and economic cooperation.

According to Geo News, the individual, identified as Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Mansoor, was reportedly a commander in the third battalion of Afghanistan’s National Military Academy. Sources claim he was killed on February 28, along with 14 others described as “terrorists” in the Ghulum Khan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The report does not specify whether Rahman held his position under the Taliban administration or the previous Afghan government.

Earlier, Pakistani authorities reported that Badruddin, the son of Mullah Ghulam Mohammad, the Taliban’s deputy governor in Badghis, was killed in a clash with Pakistani military forces alongside several Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters.

Pakistani officials have frequently claimed that Afghan nationals are fighting alongside the TTP against Pakistan’s security forces, further straining relations between Islamabad and the Taliban government.

Baghaei explained that Sayyaf traveled to Iran for “medical treatment.” During a press conference on Monday, in response to a question about the visit of an Afghan jihadi leader, he said, “Afghan society is diverse, with many different personalities and parties, and it is not unusual for someone to travel to Iran.”

Without directly naming Sayyaf, Baghaei added, “As far as I know, the individual you are referring to has come to Iran for medical treatment.”

However, a former Afghan government official and close associate of Sayyaf told Afghanistan International that the jihadi leader traveled to Iran at the invitation of the Iranian government.

Reports of Sayyaf’s trip to Iran emerged last week. He is a well-known opponent of the Taliban and has consistently criticised the group’s policies.

Earlier, sources close to Sayyaf told Afghanistan International that he was engaged in discussions with Iranian officials regarding the situation in Afghanistan and potential solutions to the ongoing conflict. He also reportedly held meetings with Afghan factions residing in Iran.

According to Pourabad, 1.95 million tonnes of goods were transported to Afghanistan through this route during the stated period.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Monday, citing the Iranian official, that Iran’s exports to Afghanistan via Dogharoon Customs rose by 25 percent between 20 March 2024 and 19 January 2025, compared to the same period last year.

Pourabad stated that 1,315,527 tonnes of goods were exported to Afghanistan during this time.

According to the Iranian official, key Iranian exports to Afghanistan included construction materials, iron, fuel, and liquefied gas.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Ali Khashi, Supervisor of Sistan-Baluchestan province customs, also reported that over the past 11 months, Iran has exported goods worth $31 million to Afghanistan exclusively through the province’s border crossings.

The Iranian officials did not specify the reason behind the seventy percent increase in transit trade through the Dogharoon border. However, a decline in Afghan traders’ use of Pakistan for transit trade may be a significant factor behind the surge in imports via Iran.

In recent years, Pakistan has imposed severe restrictions on Afghan transit trade, along with multiple closures of the Torkham border crossing. Afghan traders have been required to provide financial guarantees in Pakistani banks equivalent to the value of their goods and pay 10 percent of the goods’ value as a clearance fee.

According to reports, two security personnel and one Pakistani civilian were also injured during the confrontation.

Local sources reported on Sunday evening that heavy fighting erupted between the two sides. A video of the incident shows intense exchanges of fire, though the exact cause of the clash remains unclear.

The confrontation occurred just after the Torkham border had been closed for nine days. Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, stated that the closure was due to the Taliban’s attempt to construct a checkpoint inside Pakistani territory—an action he described as a violation of existing protocols.

He emphasised that Pakistan seeks to resolve the issue through dialogue.

Pakistani media reports indicate that multiple rounds of negotiations have taken place between Taliban and Pakistani border forces to reopen the crossing, but so far, discussions have been unsuccessful.