Deep Dive: Violent clashes renew on Afghanistan-Pakistan border near Torkham crossing amid artillery exchanges and mass displacement

The resurgence of intense clashes at the Torkham crossing, a vital artery for trade and movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan, underscores longstanding border tensions rooted in the disputed Durand Line, a colonial-era demarcation rejected by Afghan governments since 1893 but enforced by Pakistan. From the Senior Geopolitical Analyst's lens, key actors include the Taliban-led Afghan administration in Kabul, seeking to assert sovereignty over Pashtun-populated areas, and Pakistan's military, which views cross-border militant sanctuaries as existential threats following decades of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks. Pakistan's strategic interest lies in securing its western frontier amid internal instability, while Afghanistan resists fencing efforts that bisect ethnic Pashtun communities, fueling mutual accusations of harboring militants. The International Affairs Correspondent highlights humanitarian cross-border ripples: Torkham handles over a million crossings annually pre-closure, and its near-shutdown since October has exacerbated Afghanistan's economic woes post-2021 Taliban takeover, with returning Afghans—often expelled in Pakistan's anti-migrant drives—straining Taliban resources amid a humanitarian crisis affecting 24 million. Pakistan faces blowback from 1.7 million registered Afghan refugees plus millions undocumented, as deportations intensify under domestic political pressure. Regional dynamics involve Iran and China watching closely; China's Belt and Road investments in Gwadar port and CPEC corridor demand stability, while Iran's shared Afghan border amplifies migration pressures. The Regional Intelligence Expert contextualizes cultural fault lines: Pashtunwali tribal codes transcend the artificial border, enabling militant mobility and local resistance to state incursions, as seen in clashes targeting camps like Amri, likely housing returnees or militants. This escalation risks broader spillover into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Nangarhar provinces, where poverty and radicalization fester. Beyond the duo, India monitors Pakistan's divided attention, Central Asian states fear refugee influxes disrupting trade via Afghanistan, and global powers like the U.S. and Russia assess Taliban consolidation amid frozen assets and aid dependencies. Outlook remains volatile, with de-escalation hinging on backchannel diplomacy amid no formal diplomatic ties.