Clashes between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) forces and Pakistan soldiers erupted in Ban Shahi area of Kunar’s Dangam district at the disputed Durand line.
Clashes took place on Sunday this week and continued until 10 pm. Both sides used light as well as heavy weapons. Witnesses and local people said that the attempt by Pakistani soldiers to build military facilities on the side of the Durand Line is what sparked the clashes.
After the clash, Pakistani forces fired mortar shells in the Dangam area. Local people said that both sides were trying to resolve the issue.
This action from the Pakistan side is a violation of international conventions. Respecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries has become one of the principles of international relations, and the practice of these principles has been violated several times by Pakistan.
As the principles of international relations consider this action against international conventions, the principle of mutual respect and no interference considered as principles of relations between nations are not observed by Pakistan.
The people of Afghanistan condemn this action of the Pakistani forces. In the meantime, border forces of the Islamic Emirate defend their land with full determination.
The main reason of most of clashes in areas bordering the Durand Line is clear. Afghanistan does not recognize the Durand Line and refers to it as a ‘hypothetical line’. This is considered as a historical problem. In 1893, more than 130 years ago when the border lines of Pakistan ‘East India’ with Afghanistan were drawn by British colonial representatives, no governments in Afghanistan have officially recognized the lines.
In 1893, during the reign of Amir Abdul Rahman Khan king of Afghanistan, a border agreement was signed between Mortimer Durand, the representative of India under the British colonial rule and Afghanistan, based on which the border between British India and Afghanistan known as Durand Line.
After the reign of Abdul Rahman, almost all Afghan governments were against this border line, and until today, no governments in Afghanistan have officially recognized the line.
Unlike all international conventions and norms, Pakistan side has tried to construct structures in border areas. This is not the first time that Pakistan has resorted to military policies and stepped to construct military bases, which is “against international norms” or contrary to the memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
Earlier, acting defense minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Mawlavi Yaqoob mujahid said that Afghanistan will not allow any other country to act aggressively against its interests. The refusal to accept the status of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan by the IEA has clearly shown the cracks in the relationship between the two countries. During his visit to the Durand Line in Paktia province, Mawlavi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid said the Taliban wants good ties with all neighboring countries and expects the same from them.
Zarabi
Afghan-Pak border tensions should be stopped
