Heavy fighting erupted Friday at the border crossing between Afghanistan and Chaman, Pakistan, leaving at least 22 people dead and scores wounded. The fighting broke out with crowds impatiently waiting to cross during the extra-busy holiday.
Pakistan reported seven deaths and 31 injuries, while the Kandahar Governor reported that Pakistan shelled a border town, killing 15 people and injuring at least 80. The Afghan Defense Ministry threatened retaliation against them.
The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is long and often details are contested. This means that such outbreaks are violence are not entirely uncommon, though they usually don’t last more than a few days. Holiday crowds often raise tensions there.
Pakistan defended the large civilian casualties in Afghanistan, saying they acted in “self-defense.” They threatened more such defense if the Afghans retaliate in any way.
Pakistan, one of the most pathetic countries in the world. And thoroughly corrupt.
They aren’t all sunshine and lollipops, but this probably has more to do with a growing Kabul-India alliance post U.S. occupation.
The U.S./NATO will move deeper into the shadows, assuming the pullout is ever completed. India will probably front for the West in Afghanistan.
Pakistan is still nominally a U.S. ally so proxy-warring Pakistan via Kabul-India would be awkward. Yet Pakistan is also moving closer to China and critical to the New Silk Roads initiative.