HEAVY clashes took place between the security forces and militants in a border town of Chitral Valley after a large number of militants equipped with the latest weapons entered the border villages and attacked two Pakistani military posts located close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the general area of Kalash Valley. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 12 terrorists were killed in clashes with the security forces. Also, it stated that the security forces were vigilant and repulsed the terrorists’ attacks during which four soldiers were also martyred.
This latest incident is yet another proof of Afghan soil being used to carry out terrorist activities against Pakistan, raising questions about intentions and sincerity of the Taliban Government that has been extending assurances that it will not allow such activities to take place. The failure on the part of Kabul to take a decisive action against TTP militants, enjoying safe havens in Afghanistan, could ultimately force the Pakistan authorities to go for a unilateral action, which might have its own repercussions for the two brotherly countries. ISPR pointed out that the terrorists’ movement and concentration in Gawardesh, Pitigal, Barg-e-Matel and Batash areas of Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan had already been picked up and were timely shared with the interim Afghan government. However, inaction on the part of the Afghan Government is both intriguing and worrisome as this leads to loss of precious lives of civilian and military personnel of Pakistan. There is no doubt that our defence forces have the commitment and capacity to respond effectively to the threat but Afghanistan ought to extend necessary cooperation as the issue of resurgence of terrorism has implications for regional security, peace and economic development.
