782 Chapter 6
700 AFGHANISTAN/705 KAZAKHSTANMID#4054
Started in March 1993. See the narrative in the 365 Russia/700 Afghanistan dyad
dispute list.
700 AFGHANISTAN/770 PAKISTAN
MID#1307
Dispute Number: 1307
Date(s): March 27, 1949 to June 12, 1949
Participants: 700 Afghanistan/770 Pakistan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Afghanistan had territorial ambitions on the tribal area in Pakistan along
the Durant Line. Afghanistan moved troops to the border, and there was an incident
where Pakistan bombed the Afghan side of the border.
Coding changes: Start day changed from Missing. End day changed from Missing.
MID#1306
Dispute Number: 1306
Date(s): June 17, 1950 to October 5, 1950
Participants: 700 Afghanistan/770 Pakistan
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: 101–250 deaths
Narrative: Border disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan were common fol-
lowing Pakistan’s creation in 1947. Afghans wanted the Pakistani government to
recognize the right of the Pashtun people to vote on self-governance and create an
independent state. Afghanistan also challenged Pakistan’s claim to the Pashtun region,
suggesting that the Durand Line created in 1893 was not legitimate since it was estab-
lished under British colonialism.
Small raids and skirmishes were common leading up to the 1950s, but tensions
seemed to ease at the turn of the decade. Then, in April 1950, the Afghan govern-
ment began officially calling for the creation of a new state for the Pashtu-speaking
and Pathan people. While Afghanistan denied an interest in acquiring the territory for
itself, the government said that they were in support of the growing global trend favor-
ing freedom and self-governance. In October 1950, the Pakistani government reported
that Afghanistan had invaded the country’s northern border but had been pushed back
by Pakistani forces. While Pakistan retained its stance on a desire for peaceful rela-
tions, the government made it clear that it would retaliate with full force and invade
Afghanistan if invasions continued. Afghanistan began attempting more diplomatic
efforts to push the question of an independent state in late 1950 and into 1951, but this
particular dispute was not settled.