PESHAWAR – Pakistan has shut the Ghulam Khan border crossing with Afghanistan indefinitely after a deadly suicide bombing in North Waziristan killed at least 13 security personnel. The closure comes amid growing security threats and escalating clashes along the Afghan border. Consequently, authorities have imposed a curfew in parts of North Waziristan to ensure public safety.
A senior Pakistani security official stated that the threat level had sharply increased after the bombing. He confirmed that several civilians and troops were also injured. “Following the attack and continued clashes, we closed the Ghulam Khan border indefinitely and imposed a curfew,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Abdullah Farooqi, spokesperson for the Afghan interim government’s border forces, acknowledged the closure. However, he noted that Pakistani authorities had not given a formal explanation. In response, he advised vehicles at the border to divert to Torkham or Spin Boldak until the situation normalizes.
The Ghulam Khan border crossing links Afghanistan’s Khost province with Pakistan’s North Waziristan. It serves as a critical route for trade, especially for transporting fresh produce, medicines, and construction materials. Therefore, the crossing plays a key role in sustaining Afghanistan’s already fragile economy.
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Furthermore, traders and drivers on both sides expressed frustration over the sudden shutdown. Many reported severe disruption in Khost and neighboring Paktia province. One Afghan trader said, “This route is vital for our business. Its sudden closure stranded us and disrupted the supply of essential goods.”
The closure follows a series of violent incidents. On 28 June 2025, a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy in Mir Ali, North Waziristan. As a result, 13 security personnel lost their lives. The Inter-Services Public Relations (Military Media Wing) said the military responded by killing 13 militants.
In contrast, Pakistani officials continue to call on the Afghan interim government to stop cross-border terrorism. They believe that militant groups operating from Afghan soil are targeting security forces and undermining regional stability.
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In the meantime, the curfew in North Waziristan has paralyzed normal life. Residents have posted on social media about school exam cancellations, halted development projects, and movement restrictions. One user wrote, “Waziristan has become a war zone. We face daily curfews, drone attacks, and limited access to basic services.”
At present, the Ghulam Khan border crossing remains closed with no timeline for reopening. Thousands of people, including traders and commuters, continue to face uncertainty as tensions on both sides of the border grow.
