Border Crossings Close Down Following Weekend Violence
Pakistan closed all its major border crossings with Afghanistan after troops from both nations began firing at one another. The violence began late Saturday evening when Afghan troops opened fire on Pakistani border outposts. Afghanistan claimed they were retaliating against Pakistani airstrikes that occurred earlier in the week within Afghan borders. Pakistan responded with heavy artillery and guns, and officials report they destroyed multiple Afghan border outposts.
The firing more or less subsided by Sunday morning, but there are still some areas where gunfire can be heard. Pakistan closed its two largest crossings at Torkham and Chaman, the primary routes that people and commerce take to travel between the nations. At least three smaller ones were also shut. It impacts thousands of individuals who cross every day to go to work and conduct business.
Countries Blame Each Other for Cross-Border Attacks
Pakistan and Afghanistan have a very long border that is 2,600 kilometres long. The two nations have been at odds for years over the deployment of fighters along the border. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of allowing fighters to take refuge in their country and then come over to attack Pakistan. The Afghan government denies this and claims they are not assisting any fighters.
Earlier this week, Pakistan allegedly flew planes to attack targets within Afghanistan. They were attempting to target the leader of an organisation known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP for short. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has been attacking Pakistan for years and wishes to take down the government. No one has any idea if the leader was killed in the strike or not. Pakistan has not come out and declared that it conducted these attacks.
Tensions Persist Between Two Bordering Nations
Landlocked Afghanistan, with no direct access to the sea, relies considerably on Pakistani trade routes. When the border is closed, it affects trade and ordinary citizens on both sides who depend on cross-border travel. The Taliban regime that currently governs Afghanistan stated today that there is no danger anywhere in their country and that everything is in order.
The TTP faction Pakistan has been targeting has good relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan. They are like-minded and have the same objectives and notions of how nations should be governed. Pakistan fears that the close connections between them facilitate the planning of attacks by the TTP. The tit-for-tat violence between the two nations demonstrates how strained the relationship has grown, and few doubt the situation will deteriorate further unless both sides can learn to negotiate.
News at a Glance
- Pakistan shut all major border crossings with Afghanistan
- Fighting broke out Saturday when Afghan forces fired on Pakistani posts
- Pakistan retaliated with heavy artillery fire that levelled Afghan positions
- Major border crossings at Torkham and Chaman are now closed to traffic
- Pakistan reports airstrikes last week targeted a militant commander in Kabul
- Afghan government denies sheltering fighters who attack Pakistan
- The TTP militant group has been waging war against the Pakistani government for years
- The two countries share a border that is 2,600 kilometres long
FAQs
- Why did Pakistan close the Afghanistan border today?
Following the exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan troops over the weekend.
- Which Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossings are shut?
Torkham, Chaman, Kharlachi, Angoor Adda, and Ghulam Khan crossings are closed.
- What led to the fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan?
Afghan troops fired back against Pakistani airstrikes this week.
- What is the TTP group that Pakistan attacked?
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an extremist group attempting to topple Pakistan’s government.
- How long is the Pakistan-Afghanistan border?
The border is 2,600 kilometres long between the two countries.
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