New Clashes Erupt at Pakistan-Afghanistan Border

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Dec 15, 2022

Image copyright: AP [via The Canberra Times]story last updated Dec 15, 2022

The Facts

Following cross-border shelling and gunfire that killed eight Pakistani civilians and one Afghan soldier on Sunday, fresh clashes at the Chaman-Spin Boldak border crossing have once again killed at least one person and injured more than a dozen.
After heavy artillery fire erupted in the Pakistani city of Chaman on Thursday, the city's main hospital declared an emergency around midday. According to a hospital official, four civilians in critical condition have been transported to the city of Quetta for additional care.

The Spin

Narrative A

Pakistan is trying to maintain peace on its side, yet this is the latest of many recent unprovoked Taliban attacks on Pakistani land. Whether it be the TTP's attacks on Polio vaccination envoys or border checkpoints, the Afghan Taliban government needs to step up and fulfill its promise not to allow international attacks to emanate from its soil.

Wall Street Journal

Narrative B

The increase in Taliban attacks in Pakistan is ironic, given that Islamabad welcomed the US withdrawal from its neighboring state. Both countries have a history of promoting radical Islamic militarism, which is why it's no surprise to see a surge in such attacks on their border. If Pakistan wishes to maintain a peaceful society, it must take a strong stance against the Taliban.