Durand Line On Fire: Afghanistan And Pakistan Vow To Destroy Each Other Amid Rapid Attacks

New Delhi: The tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan has once again come to the fore. The situation deteriorated rapidly after the air strikes carried out by Pakistan in Kandahar area of Afghanistan. After this action, the Taliban also retaliated by targeting a military base of Pakistan. The increasing military activities around the Durand Line have created a new tension in the relations between the two countries and the situation in the entire region is being monitored.

Why did Pakistan bomb Kandahar?

Islamabad carried out these attacks under the name of 'Operation Ghajab-lil-Haq'. Pakistan alleges that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan i.e. TTP, sitting on the soil of Afghanistan, plots attacks on Pakistani citizens. In this action taken in the dark of night, the Pakistani Army targeted the hiding places, weapon warehouses and military structures of the terrorists. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar claimed that so far 684 fighters were killed in the operation, 252 posts were destroyed and 229 tanks were destroyed.

How did Taliban give a befitting reply?

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the Pakistani attacks but denied the claims. According to the Taliban, no major military base was destroyed in the attack, but a de-addiction center and empty containers were destroyed. After this, Afghan forces directly attacked the Pakistani military camp of Wana. The Afghan Defense Ministry said that the Pakistani army had to suffer loss of life and property in this, Pakistan did not accept this.

Why then did the Durand Line become the axis of conflict?

The 2,640 km long Durand Line has been a sore spot between the two countries for decades. Afghanistan never considers it a legal border. His argument is that in 1893 the British had imposed this line by cutting the Pashtun society from the middle. For the last several weeks, incidents of firing, drone attacks and military infiltration on this border are not stopping. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has issued a stern warning, terming the Afghan drone attacks as crossing the 'red line'.

What is the condition of common people in the field?

UN figures show there were 185 civilian casualties in Afghanistan between February 26 and March 5, including 56 deaths. More than 1.25 lakh people have left their homes and set out in search of safe havens. Qatar and Türkiye are trying to hold talks, but the armies of both countries are still on high alert.

Will this war flare up further?

Condemning the Pakistani attacks, India clearly said that sovereignty should be respected. This fire of Durand Line will not be extinguished without finding a solution to the problem of TTP and without starting talks.