Description: Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, accused the Pakistani military of targeting civilian sites including two mosques, two schools and a health center in the most recent cross – border attacks in the Kunar province. The attacks have reportedly killed three civilians in Kunar and left additional 14 people gravely injured including several children. Pakistan’s Information Ministry quickly denounced the accusations claiming that the Afghan government used inconclusive images in their accusations as the infrastructure damage has not been consistent with the claimed attacks.
Impact: The most recent attack likely proves the premise that Pakistan and Afghanistan would continue engaging in a constant cross – border conflict that would persistently fluctuate over larger period of time. Diplomatic efforts to reconcile the warring parties are likely diminished, since China and other countries involved in the peace brokering such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia have only managed to put a stopgap to the conflict as a temporary measure. The high density of armed separatist and militant groups operating across the Durand line is likely to increase over time, as these groups have been used by Pakistan, Afghanistan and even indirectly linked to India, to inflict instability and control regional power dynamics.