FC soldier injured by fire from Afghanistan during repatriation of Afghan citizens
Pakistan has not suspended the Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement but was not processing clearance of goods due to border closure to avoid congestion at the Chaman and Torkham borders, senior Pakistan Customs officials said. Photo: Reuters
KHYBER:
The Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing at Torkham, which was briefly reopened after almost a month to facilitate the deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals, was closed again following a cross-border firing incident that left a Frontier Corps (FC) soldier injured.
Authorities said the crossing opened Wednesday to repatriate Afghan nationals detained under Article 14 of the Aliens Law for lacking valid documentation. During the initial phase, around 292 Afghan nationals were returned to Afghanistan.
However, the process was disrupted when gunshots were reported from the Afghan side, resulting in serious injuries to an FC staff member. In response, authorities immediately closed the crossing and withdrew personnel deployed for security reasons.
Sources said arrangements had been completed at a temporary detention camp in Landi Kotal to facilitate the repatriation process and that further deportations of illegally residing Afghan nationals were expected. However, the operation has been suspended after the latest incident.
The Torkham border had remained closed since February 24 amid tensions and intermittent clashes between Pakistani security forces and agents of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
A similar escalation occurred on October 11, 2025, when armed clashes broke out at multiple points along the border, leading to the suspension of bilateral trade and a complete cessation of cross-border movements.
Officials maintained that efforts are being made to resume the repatriation process, but any decision on reopening the crossing will depend on the prevailing security situation.
