KHYBER PASS PAKISTAN

The Khyber Pass is a strategically import mountain pass. It is between the Afghan and Pakistan border. It is known as a major trading and invasion route.

The pass cutting through north-east part of the Spin Ghar mountains. It was part of the famous Silk Road and is one of the oldest passes in the world an important trade route between Central Asia and South Asia and an important military location where many battles were fought. 

Darius I of Persia went through the Khyber Pass in 5th century BC. He went as far as the Indus River. It must have been a colossal undertaking especial for that time.

The other invaders were Alexander the Great, Mahmud of Ghazni who was the emperor of Afghanistan in the 11th century Tamerlane and Babur. Genghis Khan, Mongols leader used the Khyber Pass to invade and later on Mongols Duwa, Qutiugh Khwajia and Kebek Muslim invasion was possible through the Pass.

Eventually Sikh Ranjit Singh captured the Khyber Pass in 1798. Hari Singh Nalwa ruled over the Pass for years and became a well known name in Afghanistan.

The Khyber Pass made its name in history because of the many battles with the fierce Pashtun tribes during the Afghan Wars. The British managed to get it under control with the Treaty of Gandamak in 1879.

In 1925 a railway was built through the pass and it was only possible with 34 tunnels and 94 bridges. It surely was an enormous task and a masterpiece of engineering especially for that time.

History

In the north of the Khyber Pass lived the Mullagon tribe. In the south is Afridi Tirah.  The inhabitants of the Pass are Afridi clansmen.

The Pashtun clans, especially the Afridi and Afghan Shinwans saw the Pass as their own and charged toll on travellers for safe conduct. It was their main source of income and the Shinwaris authority was often challenged ending in fierce fighting.

During the recent conflict in Afghanistan the Khyber Pass was used to bring in weapons and food for the NATO forces. The US started to invade Afghanistan in 2001 and nearly 80 per cent of NATO and US supply was brought in by road through the Pass.

Also civilian fleeing from the war in Afghanistan to Pakistan used the road.

Since 2008 the convoys came under attack by Pakistan Taliban.

In 2009 Pakistan sealed off the bridge to stop Taliban guerrillas attacking.

In Feb 2009 Taliban blew up the bridge and even today there is still a great instability

The Khyber Pass is now part of Pakistan.