Violence in border town disrupts Pakistan-Afghanistan trade route; tribal conflict escalates concerns
Chaman [Pakistan], July 21: A violent armed clash broke out in the border town of Chaman on Sunday between two rival groups, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals and injuries to more than a dozen others, according to ARY News.
The incident occurred in the volatile Balochistan region near the Afghan border. Police sources confirmed that one critically injured person later succumbed to injuries, increasing the death toll to seven.
The violence prompted immediate intervention by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, who managed to bring the confrontation under control. However, one of the groups blocked the vital Quetta-Chaman highway at Qila Abdullah in protest, causing severe traffic congestion and leaving numerous vehicles stranded.
Local authorities, including the Deputy Commissioner of Qila Abdullah, tribal elders, and religious leaders, convened at Jungle Pir Alizai police station to assess the situation and explore peace-restoration measures.
This latest outbreak of violence underscores persistent instability in the Chaman region, long troubled by tribal rivalries and tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The highway blockage has severely impacted trade and travel between the two countries, underlining the strategic importance of the route.
Negotiations are ongoing to reopen the highway, and security forces remain on high alert to prevent further escalation.
In a related development, a disturbing video from Balochistan showing the public execution of a man and woman has gone viral, triggering national outrage. Provincial authorities responded by sending the footage to NADRA for biometric analysis. The individuals and their tribal affiliations have been identified, but their names remain confidential.
Government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the incident, stating that such acts are illegal and that tribal jirgas have no authority in criminal matters under Pakistani law.