Clashes at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near the Kharlachi crossing intensified on Friday, leading to significant displacement from nearby villages and settlements. The ongoing conflict has heightened fears among locals, prompting many to seek safer locations as sporadic fighting, which began earlier in the week, escalated with more casualties feared.
Local sources reported that tribal elders from both Kurram in Pakistan and the Afghan side arrived at the border crossing to negotiate a ceasefire. Jalal Bangash, a tribal elder from Kurram, expressed hope that the discussions would lead to a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution. Another elder, Haji Zamin Hussain, mentioned that if the ceasefire holds, a grand jirga is planned for Saturday to address and resolve the conflict.
The fighting has disrupted daily life in the border areas, with schools closed and cross-border trade through the Kharlachi-Borraki border crossing suspended. Despite the severity of the situation, there has been no official statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) regarding the exchange of fire.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed deep concerns to Afghan authorities, urging them to ensure their territory is not used to threaten Pakistan’s security. At a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to defend itself and called on Afghanistan to take effective action against terror groups targeting Pakistan.
When questioned about potential talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch firmly stated that Islamabad has no plans to negotiate with any terrorist group that poses a threat to Pakistan’s security and has been involved in the killings of Pakistani civilians and law enforcement officials.