A massive fire that erupted early Saturday morning in the Torkham commercial market across the border in Afghanistan destroyed more than 150 shops and caused heavy financial losses to traders, while Afghan Taliban authorities hastily blamed Pakistan for the incident — an allegation security sources have categorically rejected as baseless and misleading.
According to local sources, the devastating blaze broke out at around 4:00am in the bustling trading market located on the Afghan side of the Torkham border crossing. The fire rapidly spread through multiple sections of the market, engulfing dozens of shops within minutes and leaving large parts of the commercial hub in ruins.
Initial estimates suggest that traders suffered losses amounting to nearly 300 million Afghanis as merchandise, shops and stored goods were completely destroyed by the flames. Rescue teams struggled for several hours to contain the inferno, but by the time the fire was brought under control, a significant portion of the market had already been reduced to ashes.
Soon after the incident, Taliban authorities in Afghanistan publicly accused Pakistan of being responsible for the fire. However, security sources strongly dismissed the allegation, describing it as “completely false and unfounded.”
Officials pointed out that the affected market is located within Afghan territory, raising serious questions about the credibility of the Taliban’s claim. “It is illogical to suggest that Pakistani forces could cross the border and set an entire market on fire inside Afghan territory,” security sources said.
Local traders and eyewitnesses have also raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding the blaze. According to several shopkeepers in the area, the movement of armed Taliban personnel was observed in the market shortly before the fire broke out.
Security sources said preliminary assessments indicate the possibility that the fire may have resulted from internal actions or administrative negligence. They added that the attempt to blame Pakistan appears to be part of an effort to create a narrative aimed at escalating tensions along the border.
The Torkham crossing serves as one of the most important trade gateways between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the destruction of the market has dealt a severe blow to local commerce and livelihoods.
Rescue officials confirmed that the fire raged for several hours before it could be controlled, leaving hundreds of traders devastated as their businesses and investments were wiped out overnight.
Authorities are yet to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the blaze, while local traders continue to demand accountability and compensation for the massive losses suffered in the incident.
