Part of the Pakistani Taliban is based in eastern Afghanistan and have a very dangerous nexus with Qari Zia-ur-Rehmans group in Kunar and Nuristan provinces. Part of the problem in eradicating terrorism from the region is Kabuls inability to control Afghanistan. The central government sitting in Kabul may as well be city hall...outside Kabul the writ of the government is virtually non-existent. This is why certain groups of the Pakistani Taliban who were displaced from Swat, Bajaur and Mohmand by army operations between 2010-2012, crossed into Afghanistan and have since become much more dangerous now that they operate freely. These groups have launched several cross-border attacks on border posts of the Pakistan Army, FC and Police and have martyred hundreds of soldiers including Major General Sanaullah Niazi Shaheed. Islamabad is seeking cooperation from U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan and the Afghan army to act against the Pakistani Taliban sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan provinces in eastern Afghanistan. During the Karzai administration, Afghanistan had refused to engage the Pakistani Taliban in Kunar and Nuristan (the same ones who attacked Malala Yousufzai). Infact it was only last year that the NDS (Afghan Intelligence) was caught by American troops transporting Latifullah Mehsud (Pakistani Taliban top leader) in a special official convoy to its headquarters - Latifullah was arrested by American forces and whisked away to Bagram. Hamid Karzai immediately lashed out at the United States in response for violating Afghan sovereignty. However, since Ashraf Ghani came to power, Afghanistan has changed its tone. In response to Pakistan going after the Haqqani Network, Hakeemullah Mehsuds right-hand man Latifullah Mehsud was handed over to Pakistani authorities. Latif Mehsud was a critical key asset for Afghan Intelligence (National Directorate of Security or NDS) who were attempting to use the TTP as a proxy against Pakistan. M. K. Bhadrakumar believes the national and security interests of the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan are now converging against all militant groups on both sides of the border. It remains to be seen if this is actually the case...
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 06:52:03 +0000
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