Key crossings along the Pakistan–Afghanistan remained closed for a second consecutive day on Monday following deadly clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces over the weekend, sources told Afghanistan International.
The border points at Torkham, Spin Boldak, Ghulam Khan, Angoor Adda and Kharlachi have all been sealed, halting cross-border transport and trade. Pakistani border officials said the closures have brought all commercial activity to a standstill.
Security officials confirmed to local media that the Chaman crossing also remains shut, with heavy security deployed on both sides of the frontier. The blockade has disrupted daily movement and trade flows that serve as a crucial economic lifeline for border communities.
Tensions escalated late on Saturday when Taliban fighters opened fire on Pakistani border posts, an attack the Taliban Ministry of Defence described as retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. Islamabad said it responded with artillery and small-arms fire.
According to Pakistan’s military, 23 soldiers were killed and 29 others wounded in the fighting, while its retaliatory strikes killed more than 200 Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters.
In a strongly worded statement, the Pakistan Army’s media wing urged the Taliban government in Kabul to eliminate terrorist groups operating on Afghan soil and to stop supporting cross-border insurgents.
“Pakistan will continue to take all possible measures to protect its people,” the statement said, warning that any further provocations would be met with “firm and decisive” responses.
Islamabad reiterated that Afghan territory must not be used to launch attacks against Pakistan and renewed its long-standing call on the Taliban to act against militant safe havens along the border.
