Islamabad: In a sudden escalation of tensions, Pakistan has closed its key border crossings with Afghanistan, including the major Torkham and Chaman gates, along with several minor checkpoints, following intense exchanges of gunfire between the two nations’ forces. The border closures were confirmed by local authorities on Sunday, causing significant disruption to trade and travel along the 2,600-kilometer frontier.

The clashes reportedly began late Saturday, when Afghan troops fired on Pakistani border posts in response to Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week. The Pakistan military retaliated with artillery and gunfire, leading to the destruction of multiple Afghan posts along the frontier. While the heavy exchanges of fire had largely subsided by Sunday morning, intermittent gunfi

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