To Whom It May Concern,
As is known, a series of border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan that took place last week led to the death of around ten and injuries of fifteen. According to available sources, a fresh round of cross-border clashes erupted last Thursday between Afghanistan forces and Pakistan forces at the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing, one of the key formal border crossings between the countries, following earlier clashes in the last week. But the exact cause of the recent border clash is unclear. The initial incident of cross- border clash is said to be happened after Pakistan demanded Afghan border forces stop building a checkpost on Afghan side of the border. But each party blames the other for the initiation of the fire.
It is notable that clashes between the Pakistan and Afghanistan forces frequently took place in the Durand Line, the 2670 kilometer long international border between the South Asian neighbours. Armed skirmishes and firefights have been occurring along the border since 1949. In November this year, a deadly shooting shuttered the border at Chaman for eight days that caused heavy commercial losses and left thousands of people stranded on both sides. Importantly, border clashes between the countries are driven by several causes including border disputes, distrust between the governments and non-state armed groups. Afghanistan’s consistent refusal to accept the international border line between the two counties which demarcated the Pashtun-inhabited region is a major cause of border clashes that increased after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
It is desired that border clashes between the countries are mitigated with effective efforts. This is the case especially for the formal border crossings including the Chaman-Spin Boldak border which are busy crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan to avert more casualties and negative impacts. But mechanisms of border clash mitigation need to be strengthened by the countries and a ceasefire between the non-state armed group Pakistan Taliban and the Pakistan government is imperative. Of course, the mitigation of border disputes and other disputed issues including the patronization of attacks on the mainland can help to mitigate border clashes between the countries. Here, interests among political leaders are important.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
