Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – A Pakistani soldier was killed in an overnight encounter with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants in the country’s northwestern region, near the border with Afghanistan, according to a Pakistani government military announcement.
The incident unfolded in Mir Ali, a town in North Waziristan, long known as a sanctuary for militants. The military had been actively conducting anti-terror operations in the area.
This encounter follows Pakistan’s recent closure of the vital Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan due to clashes between border guards from both sides earlier in the week. The skirmishes in the northwestern Chitral district near the border resulted in the unfortunate loss of four Pakistani soldiers and 12 militants.
As a result of the border closure, numerous trucks carrying goods, including perishable items like vegetables and fruits, remained stranded on both sides of the Torkham border, awaiting its reopening.
Torkham had witnessed previous confrontations in February, leading to its temporary closure as both sides disputed the construction of new border posts.
Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, a senior official from the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the urgency of resolving the border issue. He highlighted that traders face substantial financial losses, particularly with perishable goods, if Torkham remains closed.
Pakistani authorities reported ongoing negotiations with the Afghan interim government to address the Torkham border clash and the escalating incidents of cross-border militant attacks.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing that Pakistan takes the growing terrorism threat seriously. He emphasized that it’s crucial for Afghanistan to take action to prevent attacks originating from its territory.
The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, has ramped up its assaults on Pakistani security forces in recent months. While they are a distinct group, they maintain an alliance with the Afghan Taliban.
