Harsha Kakar
The ex- President of Pakistan, General Musharraf, in a press interview stated that Pakistan had created and supported terrorist groups since the 1990’s. He went on to add that these groups operated in Kashmir and Afghanistan. He also calledHaqqani, Osama, Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi as heroes in the eyes of the country. Amongst the groups that were created include the Taliban, Haqqani network and the LET. The Taliban, in his opinion, had fighters from a number of Islamic nations and they have carried militancy back home.
Also in a recent statement the Afghanistan security advisor Mohammad HanifAtmar warned of the growing presence of terrorist groups in his country. The groups now enhancing their presence include the al-Qaida, Taliban and the Haqqani network. He went on to add that these groups were using Afghanistan as a staging ground for exporting terrorism to China, Uzbekistan, Russia and other Central Asian Republics (CAR).
While delivering the Nagendra Singh memorial lecture on 27th Oct, the Indian NSA, AjitDoval, stated that “Jihadi Terrorism” as adopted by Pakistan has begun to affect entire South Asia, with its footprints visible in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.He stated that in the long term it would hurt Pakistan more than the states against whom it was directed.
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin warned the CAR nations to be prepared for an overflow of terrorism from the region to their areas.During the visit of Nawaz Sharif to the US recently, Obama asked him to act against the Haqqani network and the LET as also bring the Taliban back to the negotiating table, as it was affecting the US troops and Afghanistan negatively.
The current situation in Afghanistan shows signs of fast revival of militancy. The Taliban has begun to gain ground, threatening the fledging Afghan army. They were able to capture and hold a major city for almost two weeks. It even compelled the US to change its plans of pulling out and extend troop deployment. The Taliban were to be brought to the negotiating table; however, since the announcement of the death of Mullah Omar and the appointment of a new leader, all efforts at negotiation seem to have failed.
The Afghan government with the support of NATO was able to bring down the scale of poppy plantations in the remote areas of the country. Poppy plantations are essential to fund terrorism. Recommencement of productionis threatening the western world with a flood of cheap drugs.
Pakistan’s western borders continue to simmer with the militancy showing no signs of abating. The Af-Pak border, as the Durand line is generally termed, has always been an area where the national governments have had almost no control. The demarcation of the border in 1893, cut through Pashtun and Baloch tribal areas. Bothare clannish and continue to occupy either side of the borderwith a desire to create their own nations carving out relevant portions from both countries. The area is considered as amongst the most dangerous borders in the world.
The Pakistan army is deeply involved in battling militancy in this region and has deployed a quantum of its reserve formations. The incidents of militant strikes and loss of lives, both civil and military, have been immense. The news which flows from the conflict zone speaks of the heavy handed approach of the Pakistan army and increasing atrocities being committed on the local populace. They are alienating the masses which would only increase the scale and level of the militancy in the days ahead, which then would ultimately spill over to an already troubled Afghanistan.
The safe sanctuary and support for religious fundamentalism could set the stage for the launch of an Islamic State brand of militancy in the region. The present leadership of the Taliban has declared war on the ISIS; however it already exists in far flung villages, is increasing in strength and in time could become a new menace.An unstable Af-Pak could soon turn into another crisis for the region at large and ultimately for the world if it is not brought back under control. The world is aware of the crisis however, action to defuse the same is limited.
The world is already facing a mass exodus of refugees from west Asia to Europe, threatening the solidarity and economy of the European Union. This area could be the next from where movement would begin and threaten neighbouring countries in a similar manner.
Pakistan desires a status quo, hoping that in the long term it would have strategic control over Afghanistan. Even to provide succour to the local population in far flung areas post the recent earth quake, it was the Taliban that gave clearance to the government.
It thus becomes imperative on countries across the globe and the United Nations to raise their voice and exert pressure on Pakistan to undo the damage they have created by raising and supporting terrorist groups over the decades. They should compel Pakistan to give up its policy of using terrorism as a tool of state policy. Action by Pakistan on these groups, to include withdrawing support and striking them would not only make Afghanistan safe and secure, but also enhance stability in the entire region, including CAR, South Asia and China as well as permitting NATO to withdraw from Afghanistan. For India, such an action would ensure more security and stability, permitting it to concentrate on development and prosperity.
(The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army)
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