Pakistan–Taliban Exchange Fire at Torkham, Tirah Border

DID Press: Border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated on Tuesday after an exchange of fire between forces from both sides at the Torkham border crossing and in the Tirah area, with each side blaming the other for initiating the clashes.

Zabiullah Noorani, head of information and culture for Nangarhar Province, said Pakistani forces opened fire on Afghan positions in the Shah Kot area of Nazyan district on Tuesday afternoon, prompting retaliatory fire by Taliban border units. He said the fighting later stopped and no Afghan casualties were reported.

In contrast, Musharraf Zaidi, media spokesperson for the Pakistani prime minister, said Afghan Taliban forces initiated “unprovoked firing” along the border in Torkham and Tirah. In a post on X, he said Pakistani security forces responded “swiftly and effectively,” warning that any further provocation would be met with an “immediate and severe” response and that Islamabad would continue to protect its citizens and territorial integrity.

The incident follows Pakistani air strikes in recent nights on positions in Nangarhar Province and Paktika Province, which Pakistani officials claim killed more than 80 militants.

The latest clash marks the most serious military confrontation between the two sides since border skirmishes in October last year, heightening concerns over a further escalation of tensions along the disputed frontier.