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For the terrorist raid in 2011, see 2011 Chitral cross-border attacks.

Following the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021, clashes erupted near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on September 7, 2023. A group of armed fighters, which were affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), attacked five Pakistani military checkpoints from Afghan territory. The Pakistani military responded to the attack, resulting in casualties on both sides. Four Pakistani soldiers were killed, and according to reports, twelve of the attackers were also killed.[2]

Background

Geography

Main article: Chitral

Chitral's mountainous terrain presents a significant obstacle to cross-border movement throughout the winter due to heavy snowfall. Harsh weather conditions further exacerbate the difficulty of traversing the region during this season. Conversely, summer brings more accessible routes and milder weather, which coincides with an observed increase in potential cross-border activity.[3]

Recent attacks

Main article: Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistani defense analysts recently reported a worrying increase in militant attacks targeting military installations. This coincides with a broader trend of heightened extremist violence within the country since the Taliban's 2021 takeover of Afghanistan. These developments have strained relations between Pakistan and the Taliban government. The Taliban have denied accusations from Pakistan of harboring militant groups, specifically the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). Notably, the TTP views the Afghan Taliban as an ally.[4]

More than 300 similar attacks of varying intensity took place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in this year.[5]

Detail

Attack and Aftermath

On September 7, 2023, a clash erupted near two military checkpoints in Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. An estimated 150-300 armed individuals engaged in a firefight with Pakistani forces. The incident involved advanced weaponry and resulted in casualties on both sides. At least four Pakistani soldiers and twelve armed individuals were killed. The outlawed militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.[6]

Pakistani forces responded to the attack, reportedly inflicting casualties on the armed group. News reports indicate that twelve individuals were killed. Following the incident, Pakistani forces conducted an operation to secure the area.[7][8] The Pakistani military claimed the attacks originated in the neighboring Afghan provinces of Kunar and Nuristan. They launched a search operation in response. Pakistan has previously expressed its expectation that the Afghan government would uphold its commitments and prevent the use of Afghan territory for cross-border attacks.[3][7]

The Torkham border crossing, a key route for trade and travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan, remained closed for a second day on September 8, 2023, following the attack in the Chitral district. This closure caused delays for trucks transporting goods.[9] Pakistan's Caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, referred to the recent attack on military checkpoints in Lower Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as an "isolated incident."[10][11]

Protests

On September 8, 2023, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) summoned the Afghan Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad to express strong concern regarding the recent attacks in the Chitral district. The FO delivered a demarche, emphasizing to the Afghan interim government that cross-border attacks and the use of Afghan territory by the TTP threatened regional security.[12][13]

Afghan initiatives

An Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that Afghan forces detained approximately 200 individuals believed to be TTP members following the Chitral attack. These individuals are reportedly being held in custody. The official also stated that Afghan authorities were taking steps to move other TTP members away from the Pakistani border. However, there has been no official confirmation of these actions from the Afghan Taliban government.[14]

Pakistan's Interim Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, described the visit of a Pakistani delegation led by Ambassador Asif Durrani to Afghanistan as productive. He also expressed concern about the recent rise in cross-border attacks. The delegation reportedly received information regarding Afghan efforts related to the militant activity.[15]

See also

War in North-West Pakistan

References

  1. ^ Siddique, Abubakar. "Pakistani Taliban's Reemergence Triggers Fear Of Insurgency's Return." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 16 Sept. 2023, www.rferl.org/a/pakistani-taliban-land-grab-insurgency-islamabad/32595679.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2023. "Pakistan claimed to have repulsed the attack and forced the TTP militants to retreat into Afghanistan. On September 6, the military said four soldiers and 12 militants were killed in clashes. In a sign that all was not well in Chitral, the government imposed a three-day curfew in the mountainous region."
  2. ^ "Pakistani Taliban Attempts Land Grab To Boost Insurgency Against Islamabad". www.rferl.org. Archived from the original on 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  3. ^ a b Hussain, Abid. "Four soldiers, 12 TTP fighters killed in northwest Pakistan". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 2024-01-18.
  4. ^ "Militant Attack on Air Base Is Latest Episode to Unnerve Pakistan". New york Times. 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  5. ^ Hussain, Abid. "Four soldiers, 12 TTP fighters killed in northwest Pakistan". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  6. ^ "Pakistan: Clashes Near Afghan Border Kill 4 Soldiers, 12 'Terrorists'". Voice of America. 2023-09-06. Archived from the original on 2024-02-10. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  7. ^ a b "12 militants, 4 soldiers killed in gunbattle as militants launch attack in Pakistan's north – army". Arab News PK. September 6, 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-10-04.
  8. ^ "4 soldiers martyred during operation to repulse terrorists in Chitral's Kalash area: ISPR". 6 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Main Pakistan-Afghan Border Crossing Closed for Second Day After Clashes". usnews.com. 2023-09-07. Archived from the original on 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  10. ^ "Demarche issued to Afghan diplomat over Chitral attack: FM Jilani". dawn.com. 9 September 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-11-09. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  11. ^ "Chitral attack 'isolated incident', not consented by Afghan govt: FM Jilani". Pakistantoday.com. 2023-09-08. Archived from the original on 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  12. ^ "Afghan diplomat summoned over Chitral attack". 8 September 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-09-09.
  13. ^ Shah, S. Muddasir Ali (9 September 2023). "Chitral attack not sanctioned by IEA, says Pakistan". Archived from the original on 2023-10-04.
  14. ^ "Pakistani Officials: Taliban Arrest 200 Anti-Pakistan Militants in Afghanistan". Voice of America. 2023-09-27. Archived from the original on 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
  15. ^ "Afghan Taliban arrest 200 terrorists after Chitral attack". The Express Tribune. 2023-09-28. Archived from the original on 2023-12-14. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Chitral_cross-border_attacks