There’s still life at the Chaman border

Published August 19, 2014
Chaman tribesmen perform their traditional dance.
Chaman tribesmen perform their traditional dance.
Chaman’s main bazaar is a hub of activity.
Chaman’s main bazaar is a hub of activity.
Locals enjoy dog-fighting in a ground near Chaman border. Dog fighting is illegal in Pakistan but remains a popular recreation for the locals.
Locals enjoy dog-fighting in a ground near Chaman border. Dog fighting is illegal in Pakistan but remains a popular recreation for the locals.
An elderly man coming from Afghanistan goes through routine border security check by an officer.
An elderly man coming from Afghanistan goes through routine border security check by an officer.
Local authorities destroy poppy cultivation.
Local authorities destroy poppy cultivation.
Children play football in an empty land near Chaman border. Football has been popular in this region since 1940. Kaleemullah, who is the captain of the Pakistan team and one of the top strikers in the country, also belongs to Chaman.
Children play football in an empty land near Chaman border. Football has been popular in this region since 1940. Kaleemullah, who is the captain of the Pakistan team and one of the top strikers in the country, also belongs to Chaman.
The Friendship gate on Pak-Afghan border, which has witnessed a number of suicide blasts in the past, now looks serene with the decorations on special occasions.
The Friendship gate on Pak-Afghan border, which has witnessed a number of suicide blasts in the past, now looks serene with the decorations on special occasions.
Students at a seminary give exams.
Students at a seminary give exams.
Residents sit around a tea stall in a bazaar.
Residents sit around a tea stall in a bazaar.
An anti-polio medic vaccinates a child of an Afghan family at  Chaman border linking it with Afghanistan. The cases of polio victims have risen in the region recently and the vaccination drives still continue.
An anti-polio medic vaccinates a child of an Afghan family at Chaman border linking it with Afghanistan. The cases of polio victims have risen in the region recently and the vaccination drives still continue.
A railway station in Chaman connects it to Kandahar, Afghanistan.
A railway station in Chaman connects it to Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Spectators press closer to see the red-legged partridge fight.
Spectators press closer to see the red-legged partridge fight.

Chaman, which literally translates to 'garden', is known for its important border which links it to Afghanistan and has been used by the NATO forces to send supplies in. But there are glimpses of normal life on this terror-struck region of Balochistan.

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