TORKHAM: A devastating fire broke out early Saturday morning in a commercial market near the Torkham border in Afghanistan, destroying over 150 shops. The blaze caused significant damage, with initial estimates indicating losses of approximately 300 million Afghanis for local traders.
According to local sources, the fire erupted around 4 AM and quickly spread through large sections of the market. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Taliban authorities have swiftly blamed Pakistan for the incident.
However, local security officials have strongly rejected these claims, describing them as false and misleading. They pointed out that the market is located well within Afghan territory, raising questions about how Pakistani forces could have crossed the border to set it ablaze.
Local traders reported seeing armed Taliban militants in the area just before the fire started, fueling suspicions of internal sabotage or mismanagement. Some speculate that the incident may be part of a larger internal dispute or a consequence of Taliban mismanagement.
Security experts suggest that the Taliban’s accusations may be an attempt to escalate tensions at the border and create a pretext for political leverage.
Rescue teams struggled for hours to control the blaze, and by the time it was extinguished, the market, a key economic hub for both Afghanistan and Pakistan, was destroyed. Dozens of businesses were reduced to ashes, leaving local traders devastated.
As the investigation continues, the incident has raised concerns about growing volatility in the region, with some speculating that it could further strain the already tense relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Read also: Torkham border sees continued deportations of Afghan nationals
