Taliban Announce Reopening of Nuristan Border Crossing with Pakistan

KABUL — Taliban spokesperson Faridun Samim, spokesman for the Nuristan governor, announced the reopening of a border crossing between Kamdesh and Barg-i-Matal districts in Nuristan province and Chitral in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region for vehicle traffic.

Samim said the crossing was reopened following negotiations conducted by local elders with the Pakistani side. He added that negotiations are ongoing for a complete resolution, with more agreements expected.

The route had been closed for nearly two months due to clashes between Taliban forces and the Pakistani military. Local residents reported improved travel and access to services after the reopening and urged the Taliban to focus on maintenance and security along the route. They described the Kamdesh road as vital for livelihoods in Barg-i-Matal and surrounding areas.

The local reopening comes amid broader tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Main crossings have been closed for about five months, with Torkham open only for the deportation of Afghan migrants. The closures followed clashes triggered by Pakistani airstrikes on parts of Afghanistan, including Kabul, with intermittent fighting continuing.

Taliban and Pakistani officials have held peace talks in Istanbul, Doha, Riyadh and Urumqi, but no lasting ceasefire has been achieved.