A senior Pakistani official stationed at Torkham said additional paramilitary forces had been deployed to the area along the border shared by Kabul and Islamabad.
“The Torkham border has been completely closed for pedestrian movement and trade,” the official said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.
“Security forces have also pulled out all civilian staff posted at the border, so they are not harmed in case of further firing,” he added.
Another official at the Chaman crossing, which connects Pakistan’s Balochistan province with Kandahar, said the border had been “sealed.”
According to Pakistani officials, heavy weapon clashes took place in at least four border districts, though no casualties were reported on the Pakistani side.
In recent months, TTP militants have stepped up attacks on security forces in the mountainous border regions. Between January and September 15, more than 500 people, including 311 soldiers and 73 police officers, have been killed in such incidents, a military spokesperson said on Friday.
A UN report earlier this year stated that the TTP “receive substantial logistical and operational support from the de facto authorities,” referring to the Taliban-led government in Kabul.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told parliament on Thursday that repeated attempts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to stop supporting the TTP had failed.
“Enough is enough,” he said. “The Pakistani government and army’s patience has run out.”