Pakistan Warns Afghanistan of Unbearable Punishment After Border Clashes at Torkham

Clash at the Crossing

Light-arms fire broke out at the Torkham border crossing on Sunday after Afghan authorities resumed construction on the disputed Zangali check post. The post sits within a 100-metre radius of the Afghan side of the border. Pakistani officials had previously objected to work in that zone under earlier understandings. The crossing remained closed for nearly five hours until intermediaries arranged a halt to further construction.

No Pakistani casualties were reported at Torkham. One civilian was killed by mortar shelling near the Angoor Adda crossing in Lower South Waziristan. Pakistani forces responded to fire directed at their checkpoints from the Afghan side in that sector.

Official Statements

A Pakistani military spokesperson said the Afghan Taliban would be unable to bear the cost of harbouring terrorists and warned of unbearable punishment if cross-border attacks continued. The statement also named India as a prime contractor behind terrorism in Pakistan. Washington has acknowledged Pakistan's concerns about militant activity originating from Afghan territory and indicated willingness to play a role in reducing tensions.

Local residents described panic among returning Afghans and suspension of repatriation processing during the closure. Government offices at the crossing were shut for the duration of the standoff. The situation stabilized once both sides agreed through intermediaries to stop construction near the border.

Ongoing Pattern

Similar disputes over check-post construction have occurred in recent weeks. On October 19 Afghan forces had halted work on the same post after Pakistani objections and warning shots. The repeated incidents reflect unresolved disagreements over security infrastructure within the immediate border zone.

Trade and pedestrian traffic through Torkham resumed after the five-hour closure. Further incidents remain possible while the two sides continue to differ on the placement and reinforcement of positions along the frontier.