Taliban Cuts Off Barbed Wire On Durand Line With Pakistan

Kabul: The Taliban forces have snapped a barbed wire erected by the Pakistani forces on the Durand line. It happens to be the first such reported friction between the border fences of the two countries after August 15 when the Taliban took over the war-torn nation.

This incident took place in the Gushta district in the eastern province of Nangarhar and it led to localized military confrontation as reported by the Afghan Media.

Pakistan is putting barbed wire on the entire Durand line that stretches almost 2,400 km with Afghanistan. Islamabad is nearing completion of this project.

It has been reported that this operation was led by Doctor Bashir who is the Taliban-appointed head of the General Directorate of Intelligence of Nagarhar province.

In a threat directed towards the Pakistani forces, Bashir warned them of harsh repercussions if they put up the barbed wire again.

Bashir said, "Next time if you look at Afghanistan, I will come and make this area...my frontline to wage war with you. I swear by Allah that waging war with you makes me happier than waging war with Jews."

An artillery attack was launched by the Pakistani forces on Kunar Province in response to the Gushta incident according to unconfirmed sources.

This skirmish comes in the backdrop of the 17th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad to discuss the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.

The Durand Line is an international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan which was established by the British in 1893 and is recognized as the western border of Pakistan.

It has been named after British civil servant Sir Henry Mortimer Durand who signed an agreement with Amir Abdur Rahman, the Afghan ruler of that time, for establishing this line.

It is to be noted that the previous Afghan governments, including the Taliban, has refused to recognize the Durand line as it divides the Pashtuns (Pathans) on both sides of the border.

Reportedly, Pakistan has been accused of indirectly supporting the Taliban regime and it is believed that Islamabad helped to install the Taliban Government in Kabul through covert means. Pakistan has denied these allegations.

However, it seems that the two are in loggerheads over this issue.

Also read: 'Neighbouring country' hatched plot to assassinate ex-Afghan Prez Ghani in August

Also watch: