Peshawar, Pakistan – In a fierce combat along the Pak-Afghan border near the Kurram district, eight Afghan soldiers were killed, including two commanders, and 16 injured by Pakistani security forces against the Afghan Taliban fighters. The incident has heightened tensions between the two countries as all sorts of trade have been completely stopped, fearing further deterioration in the days to come.
Fatal Skirmish near Kurram: The Afghan Taliban attacked a Pakistani check post in the Palosin area with heavy armament on Saturday morning. In retaliation, the Pakistan forces caused heavy losses to the Afghan side. As the reports are coming, eight Afghan Taliban members were killed that also included commanders Khalil and Jan Muhammad, while at least 16 others received injuries in the skirmish.
Taliban Strikes Pakistan Forces: An act that has been part of the increasing trend among Afghan troops to strike Pakistani security forces along the border, despite a warning issued by Pakistan to the Afghan government. Such cross-border skirmishes continued unabated as sources close to the development claimed besides staging militant activities within Pakistan, Afghan Taliban had now started attacking security forces deployed along the international border.
Tensions Affect Trade: The deteriorating security environment has already seen some immediate effects, with trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan grinding to a halt during the weekend. A Dawn correspondent contributed that there was sporadic firing on Sunday but no further casualities. In May this year, a similar border clash displaced hundreds of local residents from Kharlachi as the elders tried to intervene.
Martyrdom of FC Official in Kurram: In another incident, an FC official was martyred, and three others injured due to an ambush by the militants in the Marghan area of central Kurram. The militants attacked a check post of the Frontier Corps but managed to flee after the assault. Injured personnel were immediately shifted into the hospital for treatment.
The fresh rounds of fighting between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban have brought to light the fragility of the security situation along the Pak-Afghan border. Given the prevalent tension in relations and the previous incidents of violence that have taken place, both countries are at pains to see instability contained and not escalated further.