Another Day, Another Clash at Durand Line
In a recent clash along the Durand Line, one Taliban fighter was killed, and seven others were injured, while on the Pakistani side, seven casualties were reported, including a high-ranking officer. The incident occurred in the Shorko area of Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where tensions between the two sides escalated, leading to the exchange of mortar shells.
Reports indicate that the confrontation started when the Taliban attempted to establish a new post along the Durand Line, which Pakistani forces opposed. The refusal to allow the Taliban to construct posts has led to increased friction. Just three days prior, another clash had occurred in the same region, where both sides deployed heavy weaponry, including mortar shells.
The Taliban, viewed by many as proxies of Pakistan, have never accepted the Durand Line as the official border. They consider it a divisive line imposed by the British during colonial rule. Taliban Deputy Chief for Political Affairs, Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanikzai, recently declared in a public gathering that the group would never recognize the Durand Line, stating that “the British divided us by this factual line.”
An image of the Taliban fighter killed in the latest clash is circulating on social media, reportedly from the battle with Pakistani forces. Taliban fighters have also shared videos from the confrontation, showing them striking Pakistani posts. Reports suggest that some of these posts may have been abandoned by Pakistani forces following the skirmish.
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In a series of recent press conferences, the Taliban accused Pakistani forces of provoking the clashes by opening fire on Taliban fighters along the DurandLine. The ongoing tensions have raised concerns about stability in the border region, with both sides blaming each other for the violence. Further updates are expected as the situation continues to unfold.
