A border skirmish is a short, sometimes violent clash between armed troops from different nations. These incidents can be triggered by territorial disputes or other political tensions and can escalate into full-blown war if left unchecked. Understanding what leads to border disputes – and how they can be resolved – is key to international peace.
India and Pakistan have been engaging in sporadic gunfire along the 3,440km (2,100-mile) border that divides their disputed territory of Kashmir. Both nations claim sovereignty over the region, which is home to a large Muslim population. The conflict stems from the 1947 Partition of British India, which established a separate Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India. The two have fought three wars and numerous border skirmishes over the region since then.
The escalation is raising concerns about nuclear tensions between the South Asian rivals. Both countries have a history of misreading the intent of historical treaties and misunderstanding territorial claims, which can lead to border skirmishes. This can be exacerbated when the competing parties are large, powerful and have significant military and economic interests in their claimed territories.
In the latest incident, a video began circulating on social media this week showing soldiers from both sides fighting each other in the mountainous region of Tawang district in northeastern India. CNN cannot verify the video, but it appears to show troops from both China and India. It also shows some soldiers using what looks like sticks and clubs.
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