Along the Afghan-Pakistan border, crossed by the fabled Khyber Pass, CNN reports renewed fighting. This time it involves the Pakistanis and the Afghans, government forces on both sides.
In the past, violence there has involved Americans, before them the Soviets, and before that British against local hill tribesmen. Farther east it is Pakistanis vs. Indians.
We’re talking Gunga Din country here, fighting is as old as this flinty land itself. Sometimes outsiders are involved, sometimes including now, it’s the locals fighting amongst themselves. More than a few movies have been set among these hills, nearly always featuring conflict and killing.
During the US occupation of Afghanistan, the Pakistanis were covertly allied with the Taliban who were fighting us, as well as being overtly allied with us. Now we’re gone and they fight each other. Everybody hereabouts is armed and blood feuds are both a way of life and the local sport.
Kipling’s multiplayer Great Game continues….
