Once again the sound of bullets is echoing near the Durand Line. Taliban fighters are entering the border of Pakistan and attacking military posts. Pakistan has started retaliatory firing, due to which tension between the two countries has increased. This dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan is not new. This 2640 km long international border, called the Durand Line, has been a cause of conflict between the two countries for decades.

Afghanistan does not recognize this border. According to him, this is a “hypothetical line” i.e. an imaginary border, which was created by the British government for its own interests. The Durand Line is a line drawn in 1893 that forms the border between present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was built by British officer Sir Henry Durand under an agreement with the then Afghan ruler Abdur Rahman Khan. The objective of the British was to create a buffer zone between India (then British India) and Afghanistan so that Russia’s expansionist policy could be stopped. This line passes through Pashtun and Baloch tribal areas, due to which the families of these communities were divided between two countries. This is what makes this border the most controversial.

Why doesn’t Afghanistan agree?

Afghanistan could never officially recognize this line. He says that this is a forcibly imposed border of the colonial period, which was decided without taking the opinion of the local tribes. The Durand Line affected the Pashtun community the most. They had been living in the border areas for centuries, but now their families and tribes were divided between the two countries. According to Afghanistan, the British drew this line according to their political and military needs, and not keeping in mind the interests of the people. This is the reason why even today this border hurts the sentiments of the Afghan people.

Why did tension increase after the arrival of Taliban?

After the Taliban came to power in 2021, Pakistan hoped that a “friendly government” would be formed in Kabul which would recognize the Durand Line, but the opposite happened. The Taliban described this line as a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and accused Pakistan of trying to forcibly determine the border by erecting a fence in this area. Since then, there have been several border clashes between the Taliban and the Pakistani army. Taliban-backed terrorist organization TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) has also been carrying out attacks in Pakistan, due to which the tension has deepened.

Strength of Taliban and Afghan army

According to the former Vice President of Afghanistan, the Taliban has about 80 thousand fighters, while the Afghan army has 5 to 6 lakh soldiers. Despite this, the Taliban continues to dominate the Afghan army. The strength of Taliban lies in its tribal roots and religious networks. Madrassas, fundamentalist religious organizations and tribal support have strengthened the Taliban at the grassroots level. Apart from this, the secret help of Pakistani Army and ISI has also played a big role in the emergence of Taliban as a military force. This is the reason why now the same Taliban is opening a front against Pakistan.

challenge for pakistan

Pakistan now seems to be trapped in a trap of its own making. The Taliban, which it once nurtured for strategic depth, has now become a threat on its borders. The Taliban not only rejects the Durand Line, but is also trying to increase its religious and political hold in the border areas of Pakistan. Taliban attacks on Pakistani army posts show that this border is no longer just a geographical dispute but has become a security crisis.

Durand Line is the most dangerous border in the world

This 2640 km long line passes through sensitive areas like Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This is the reason why it is called the most dangerous border in the world. Cross-border attacks, illegal trade and terrorist activities take place here every day. The life of the people living in this area always passes between instability and fear.

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