Following four rounds of coordination committee meetings, India has permitted the entry of eight out of 162 trucks from Afghanistan stranded at the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check-Post, which had remained shut since hostilities began with Pakistan.
Officials said the remaining 157 trucks, loaded with consignments of spices, herbs, and fresh and dry fruits, are expected to cross into India from Pakistan in the coming days.
An official clarified that the move should not be interpreted as a normal opening of the border, as the Integrated Check-Post (ICP) remains non-operational in accordance with the directions of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CCS had ordered the closure following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The 162 Afghan trucks carrying perishable goods had arrived at the Wagah border, located within Pakistan, on April 22—just a day before the CCS meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s residence on April 23, where the immediate suspension of operations at the Attari-Wagah border was recommended.
The Land Port Authority of India (LPAI), which oversees cargo movement at the Integrated Check-Post (ICP), received its last shipment—comprising 17 truckloads—on April 23. Following this, no merchandise from Afghanistan was accepted until May 16.
Under normal operations, the ICP handles between 15 to 20 truckloads of dry fruits, spices, herbs, and fresh fruits from Afghanistan each day. It serves as the only land trade route between India and the Taliban-ruled, landlocked nation. Currently, the ICP is permitted to handle only Afghan imports, with Pakistan providing transit access for the consignments.
In the 2023–24 financial year, the ICP recorded its highest-ever imports, valued at over ₹3,700 crore since it became operational 12 years ago. During the current financial year (2024–25), it has facilitated the import of 1,83,975 metric tonnes from Afghanistan.
Before the trade embargo between India and Pakistan in August 2019, one-fourth (Rs 4,476 crore) of their total trade of Rs 17,903 crore used to take place through the ICP Attari.
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