Afghan trucks carrying dry fruits arrive at Attari ICP for second consecutive day

Amritsar: As many as 14 trucks carrying dry fruits, spices, herbs and other goods from Afghanistan arrived at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Attari via Pakistan on Saturday, marking the second consecutive day of movement across the India-Pakistan border. On Friday around a dozen Afghan trucks had reached the ICP.

The trucks were earlier stranded on the Pakistani side after India suspended trade and traffic ties with Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In protest, the Indian government had shut down the Attari border, leaving more than 150 Afghan trucks stuck at various points across Pakistan.

According to officials, the trucks have now been allowed to enter India following a ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

A senior official from the Land Port Authority of India at the ICP clarified that the Indian government has not resumed trade with Pakistan, and these trucks are exceptions — they had departed from Afghanistan before the ceasefire but were held up due to border tensions.

“There is no formal approval from the Indian government for resumption of trade. These are the only trucks which had already left Afghanistan before the ceasefire and are now being allowed entry,” the official said.

At present, only one-way trade from Afghanistan to India is allowed, with Indian traders importing dry fruits, herbs, spices, and other goods. This arrangement has existed for several years. However, bilateral trade between India and Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah check post has remained suspended since the Pulwama terror attack.

After reaching the Attari ICP, the goods from Afghan trucks were offloaded and transferred to Indian trucks for onward delivery to various destinations.

The Attari ICP was also completely closed for passenger movement during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. During this period, over 2,000 citizens from both countries were repatriated to their respective homelands. The Attari border continues to remain shut for traffic movement.