PESHAWAR: Pakistan said Monday that seven soldiers were beheaded by militants who infiltrated from Afghanistan, lashing out at Kabul over cross-border attacks.
The protests come with Pakistan under growing US pressure to act against al Qaeda-linked safe havens on its own soil and the anti-terror Islamabad-Washington alliance at its lowest ebb since the 9/11 attacks.
Pakistan already reported that six soldiers were killed in gunbattles with militants Sunday who crossed from Afghanistan into the northwestern district of Upper Dir, a key border transit route that neighbours the Swat valley where Pakistan defeated a local Taliban insurgency in 2009.
Intelligence officials blamed the attack on loyalists of Pakistani cleric Maulana Fazlullah, who fled to Afghanistan after losing control of Swat to the army.
But on Monday, the military said 11 soldiers had also gone missing, "out of whom seven soldiers have been reportedly killed and then beheaded".
The bodies have not been found, but intelligence intercepts indicated that they had been killed, a senior military official told AFP in the northwest.
The army said more than 100 militants "from a safe haven across the border" attacked troops on patrol. It claimed to have killed 14 militants.
Pakistan said two rockets and sniper fire were also fired into Lower Dir on Monday.
The army "has strongly protested with their counterparts across the border for not taking action against miscreants present in safe haven in Afghanistan," a military official said.
Pakistan's new prime minister on Monday also condemned the attacks and said he would discuss the matter with President Hamid Karzai.
"Pakistan has strongly protested with Afghanistan on the cross-border attacks and I will also take up this issue with Karzai," Raja Pervez Ashraf told reporters in Karachi.
His office, however, did not elaborate on when such a conversation might take place.
Pakistani troops have been bogged down for years fighting local Taliban but have resisted US pressure to carry out a sweeping offensive against Afghan Taliban fighters in its North Waziristan tribal area.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Islamabad earlier this month that Washington was running out of patience over terror safe havens.
Islamabad imposed a blockade, now in its seventh month, on overland NATO supplies into Afghanistan since US air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border on November 26.
Pakistan was the Taliban's chief backer when the militia was in power, and is accused by both Kabul and Washington of continuing to play a double game in supporting the insurgency despite its official US alliance.
Pakistanis have sought to deflect some of pressure, by saying the country has suffered more than any other from terrorism, and accuse Kabul and Washington of trying to find a scapegoat for the 10-year war in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have long blamed each other for Taliban violence plaguing both sides of their porous, mountainous border.
Pakistan says rebels have regrouped in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan and US officials want Pakistan to eliminate Taliban and al Qaeda-linked havens used to launch attacks in Afghanistan.
COMMENTS (86)
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Mr. Maha, Pakistani is the very great nation it was always destined to be. Quit feeling jealous. Become a Muslim and join the circle of Truth and Virtue, instead of wasting time on psychology and other ephemera.
Afghan President has already said that he will take strict action if Pakistan provides concrete evidence that these guys had crossed over from Afghan side of the border, Since rhetorics by Pakistani Army brass or their Interior Minister does not count much in an Afghan Court of Law, just dossiers or communication intercepts won't do. Will Pakistani Interior Ministry please produce water tight evidence of the charges they make?
Does the logic sound irrational? Well, I know it does. Nevertheless, does it ring a bell?
@maestro: Where are these madrassahs located.In Pakistan
How about asking these militants for an apology for killing our soldiers.
The solution is simple.
1) Pak army should arrest those serving or retired officers who are supporting/attending Difaye Pakistan rallies. 2) Give space to civilians to revamp foreign policy of country especially for Afghanistan, Iran and India.
Tit for tat. Simple
@S:
S...please ask yourself this one question. Who are the Taliban? Who supports them? The US, Israel, Afghanistan or Pakistan? Whether they are on either side of the AfPak border. Answer this question truly and according to your conscience. Only one obvious name will crop up in this multi choice question. Pakistan! If you say that they are killing Pakistani soldiers also thereby ruling out Pakstan then you have to understand that ' poisonous snakes' don't distinguish who they bite. They are nobody's pets.
How come these posts are not in chronological order? It makes for confusing reading.
@US CENTCOM: When it comes to writing, beautifully worded paragraphs appear to be convincing. However reality on ground is different when one analysis the past joint efforts. Doubts exists on both sides. How to achieve mutual trust building is the main issue. You can not clap with one hand. So have honest appraisal of your deeds also. Though in global politics each country is fixed to prioritize its own benefits and humanity is pushed at the bottom. But still for good cause an honest and true effort can bring good results. Both sides should analyse it.
@Amjad: At the end of fencing the border pakistan go bankrupt, then pakistanis try to refuge into afghan by breaking the very same fence
May the deceased rest in peace and Allah bless their souls with jannah
Ask Imran Khan to "Negotiate" with the terrorists so they can stop beheadings. Somebody tell him that there should never be any negotiations with terrorists.
I want an apology.
@Wall Builder: Stay away from mentioning electric anything or people will end up too depressed to finish reading.
@FAUJI: Sorry man, but the US is a big boy and takes on its problems directly. In fact, few countries other than Pakistan would find much pride in requiring militant support networks by policy.
Let us suppose, by some magic, the terrorism problem goes away and things go back to the way they were in the 80's. Will Pakistan do things differently then, like not promoting terrorism to "bleed" India in Kashmir?
Just curious.
@123: :Some one across the border needs to do more as well!"
They were paying you to do something and you were taking the money but not doing te work hence they said Do More. Pakistan does not even pay them so why should they do anything? They have no obligation towards a country who talks like an ally and acts like an enemy.
@Wall Builder: You said "Lay barb wires Put electricity in the wires Put electronic detectors on the border Put chemical, and biological sensors on the border Extend range of your radars to cover all the border." Are you kidding me, you cannot be serious? We have no electricity for the basic needs of civilians and industry and you are talking like we have so much power and money to spare for all these electronics. These things are good for rich and modern countries who have more expensive and limited manpower and tiny army compared to Pakistan. Regards, Mirza
@LionOfPunjab: You made some very gopod points. I would lie to add one more. Just as Pakistan does not accept LOC as a border between the 2 countries, similarly Afghanistan does not accept the Durand line as the border between the 2 countries. It is not just Karzai who is unwilling. Even when Afghan Taliban were in power and there were only 3 countries that even recognized them - they did not yield to Pakistan request to accept the Duran line as a border. SO if you try to build a border, plese rest assured that your strategic assests themselves would create barriers.
To All people talking about US is negotiating with these people so why not us: These are TTP not Afghan Taliban. They are leading a homegrown Pakistani insurgency. They had made their plans very clear in Swat - they do not recognize Pakistani constitution and want to come and rule by imposing their own twisted version of sharia. US does not care about them one way or another.
Evidence of Indian support for the Northen Alliance well documented since soviet occupation of Afghanistan. If this is Al Qaeda then lets keep our powder dry and see what happens when USA leaves. Will there be a civil war in Afghanistan? Will the Indiwn paranoia with so called Pakistani proxies reveal that they have also created their proxies in Afghanistan like our Army and Intelligence agencies suspect. Will the Afghan's allow civil war between proxies I don't think so.
@kaalchakra:
Pakistan is a giant testing laboratory known as fortress of Islam. This country has become a great example of what-not-to-be and a challenge to the psychologists.
@Chulbul Pandey: Indian support for the Northern Alliance is well documented since Russian Occupation of Afghanistan. We have to keep our powder dry and see after departure of USA from Afghanistan whether the Indian agency RAW will be able to create a civil war situation in Afganistan or will the Afghans be able to deal with this Machivellien attempt to divide the Afghan between Indian and Pakistan proxies. Let's see.?
@Mirza: Well said. You should seriously think about running for PM in the next elections.
Even your die hard enemy India does not do such heinous acts.
@maestro: Why everything to be paid by some one else? It is your home, you build a wall or dig a trench it is your problem. Stop begging for your shortcoming.
@US CENTCOM: Thanks for your comments. However, the change of heart was from the American side, when intelligence sharing with Pakistanis was gradually stopped to turn it into a one-sided relationship.
U will reap what you sow. That is the only moral of this incident and many other similar incidents in Pakistan.
As I said before many times: The day America leaves Afghanistan the countdown for Pakistan begins. Hyderabad, India
@LionOfPunjab: Perhaps you need to reread the comments above which states that NATO / ISAF should pay the costs for the barrier / fence because Pakistan has already incurred hundreds of billions of damage due to its efforts and support to kick out the Soviets in Afghanistan, end the Cold War and now fight the war on terror. Pakistan should not have to pay for the instability and damage to its infrastructure. Just because a dictator with low intellect like Musharraf gave Pakistan away without arguing for fair compensation is no need not to do it now.
@wah wah:
A very famous poet from the land of sufis once put a verse from Holy Quran in his poetry and said:
"Khuda nay Aaj tak us koum ki halat nahin badli" (God has never, to date, changed the condition of a nation)
"Na hou jis kou khayal khud apni halat kay badalnay ka" (Which does not have the will to change its condition itself)
Not sure if Alhamdulilah and InshaAllah alone will suffice when we are not ready to look at the filth in ourselves ad do a house clean up. Its a just God we believe in, not one who is blind and prejudiced towards the crimes of one and will punish someone else even if they are better in character than the supposedly favored ones. This is what we are witnessing today viz a viz Muslims and non Muslims.
Dear all of you who are proponents of building a wall.
Here is my suggestion to you guys
Lay mines on the border Build a wall Lay barb wires Put electricity in the wires Put electronic detectors on the border Put chemical, and biological sensors on the border Extend range of your radars to cover all the border.I strongly suggest you start as soon as possible. But like everything, there should be a start. And that start should be
Demarcate the damn border on paper at least, Of the 2600 km border, less than 1000 km has so far been officially recorded. The remaining border is vast amounts of lands, which are pure no-go areas. Some of these no-go non-marked areas have a width of 25 km.So please go ahead and fulfill your wish.
@ LTC T.G. Taylor, I do agree with you what you are saying but the problem is that infiltration from Afghan side should also be blocked, I hear all the time that we say to Pakistanis "do more" but we ourselves are not doing enough. We have Superior forces and technology but how come I don't read in any news that the NATO forces are on the border and trying to clear it. Well, now we have chance to do it in the Lower Dir area on Afghan side and if we push these terrorist into Pakistan then Pakistanis will deal with them, they will no place to go. I think we are not doing our job well either.
@LionOfPunjab : Agreed!
Secondly: people are saying if the US can build a wall on their border with Mexico, why can;t Pakistan do the same with its border with Afghanistan? That's very simple; if you know anything about geography and the differences between these two landscapes, you wouldn't be asking this question. It is nearly impossible to build a fence in that landscape. And even if they do, It wouldn't work. Where the US has build its fences, its mainly flat land and even then Illegal personnel manage to infiltrate the wall. So you really think this wall would solve this problem? I would advice you to think again!
Good! Military should be eradicated from Pakistan. It is a useless force. :)
These are US and nato supported terrorists who purposely come into our territory and target our soldiers. The only thing is to throw away each terrorist arrested from helicopters at least at a height of 10,000feet
Sad news. Allah is testing Pakistan. It is time to redouble the faith and strive even harder to promote virtue and forbid vice.
@LionOfPunjab: The people on both sides of the border would love Pakistan to try and build a fence, as then they, the people, can steal the material and the fence will NEVER be completed. That would be "creative construction".
@ASIM: This is your religion so either change it or get rid of it. No religion can be peaceful if it claims that there is only one "true" doctrine. That itself is the basis for conflict, not only with outsiders but also among the followers.
@Mirza: They only have one and the same mission no matter which side of the border they are So you have no problem they have camps over the border and attack our post in hundreds. This has been going on fro three years now. Doesnt our "Ally" have any responsibility as the occupying power to get rid of these TTP/BLA camps. Can we demand Airstrikes and hot pursuit into Afghanistan soil. Will Militancy ever end if they get supplied and armed across the border? Can you blame the Army for failing given how easy it is to cross the border Do you find it odd that your statement is the same as LTC Tayler from Centcom. Terrorists, whichever side of the border they are from, will remain terrorists They can afford this imperial hubris we cant.
Will the Pakistan Foreign Office please come out with a clear statement indicating to the good taliban that unless they apologize for these killings (since they provide shelter to the bad taliban in NWA), all support and logistic lines to their foot soldiers in Afghanistan will be shut down? After all that's exactly what the gripe is with the NATO at the moment that has caused Pakistan to shut down the NATO supplies. Also would the FO please demand at least $100 billion from the assets to pay for the lost decade of economic growth when fighting with the rest of the world on behalf of the assets?
@Amjad: You think that the only task NATO has is to pay the bills for your flights of fancy? And by the way, where will this wall be erected? At the border between Pakhtoonistan and Punjab? Since the whole of Pakhtoonistan is claimed by Afghanistan.
@Pakistani
Have you heard of the term strategic depth
Time to go after these Taliban and eradicate their DNA from the gene pool
And what about asking for apology from the militants about this one? Or do we only ask Americans?
Hamid Gul is responsible for all this mess.
If Pakistan had been guarding its borders 11 years ago when United States pushed the Taliban out of Afghanistan you would not be having this problem. Of course at that time you were still trying to protect your strategic asset, and so they were welcomed. You gave up what ever sovereignty you had in that area at that time. If you're really concerned about this problem why have there been no proposals for joint action. This could be with the Afghan government leaving NATO to provide support. Your governments actions towards Afghanistan make it appear/clear that you are not friendly with or support the Afghan government. Try cool operating with your neighbors for a change. That said I'm morn in the losses your army and nation have suffered.
This war is unwinnable.
@ All the people wanting to "build fence" on Af-Pak border. Do you guy have any idea as to: 1. How much will it cost? 2. Even if we have money to build a fence (which we dont), How are you going to get construction workers in a place where even the army cant go without getting their heads chopped off? 3. How we are going to get the electricity required during construction when major part of the most advanced region of punjab, has 20hrs a day load-shedding? Bunch of clowns!
@US CENTCOM Your comments are heartfelt and welcome but how can you( US) blame Pakistan for having sanctuaries on its territories when you have not been able to eradicate them on Afghan side? It is a very simple question.
@Mirza: We have been thrown into this war , thanks to Musharraf as well
@Mirza asked: Where are those who advocate talking to these terrorists?
It was the United States of America who initiated talks with these 'terrorists'. US used Karzai for Peace Initiative with Taliban. This cross-border terrorism begins after the US attacked Afghanistan in 2001 to hunt for OBL. Before US arrival in the region, there was no such cross-border attack reported (atleast, I don't remember any such infiltration). Now, we are suffering from cross-border terrorism from both parties (Taliban and NATO). It was the war between NATO (occupied force) and Taliban (who claim Afghanistan territory), and Pakistan was dragged into this war. As a result, we are facing consequences. Today's news is just one example. This situation cannot be tackled without taking all parties (NATO, Taliban and Pakistan) on-board. Either (peace) deal with them OR take this war to some conclusion. We, Pakistanis, don't want another Iraq like situation in Pakistan. Last but not least, WAR NEVER BRINGS SOLUTION.
Reference: Peace Initiatives in Afghanistan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WarinAfghanistan(2001%E2%80%93present)#PeaceInitiatives
May Al-Mighty Allah rest their souls in peace and give strength to their families to bear the irreparable loss of precious human lives.
Ameen.
First and foremost, our condolences go to the friends and families of these brave soldiers. We wish to see those responsible caught and punished as soon as possible. Terrorists, whichever side of the border they are from, will remain terrorists. They will always cause death and destruction because that is their only mission. Pointing fingers and shifting blame helps no one. Brave solders are being killed on both sides of the border by these terrorists. We must take our attention away from conspiracy theories that pull us away from our common mission and offer these terrorists the leeway to further their evil mission. The fact is that both of our nations have lost thousands of brave soldiers in fighting these terrorists. These terrorists would like us to remain tangled in our differences for the sake of achieving their evil agenda. We must see the big picture and join hands for the sake of bringing peace and stability to the region. We must take the advantage away from these terrorists by combining our strength. We have achieved great success through joint cooperation, and there is no doubt that we can eradicate this menace by working side-by-side.
LTC T.G. Taylor DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
people blaming india afghanistan and usa for this attack while the article clearly says that a pakistani cleric maulana azhar who fled from pakistan after losing swat to pak army is behind the beheading. why blame it on India or USA or Afghanistan when your own people are standing up and shouting up the claim for beheading.
My Dear Tribune, either post my previous comment the way I wrote or don't post it at all. Don't modify it please. Thanks.
......and yet we do nothing about the extremist Madrassas and their foreign / local sponsors.
@ASIM: the solution is simple - have zero tolerance against anyone involved or connected to terrorism. If a politician , TV host, mullah , teacher , newspaper or ordinary citizen speaks in favour of terrorism or promotes it execute them and imprison their family. This is very harsh but this is the only language are people understand these days
Even after this horrific incident I doubt if any political party will give a call for any public protest. There was huge protests when the worlds most wanted terrorist was killed in Abotabad. It is high time the govt/Est must act against all terrorists irrespective of their strategic importance. Otherwise these things will keep on happening
@S: Pakistan had no problems with Afghan Taliban all these years if I recall. It is intriguing to watch Pakistan's rapidly oscillating choices of friend and foe! Maybe you'd care to try "good sense" for yourself and see how it works. Go slowly at first, it will feel very unusual!
@ostrich: Afghan "COURTS" will take action if Pakistan provides PROOF.
next time when some thing blow-up there don
t spit the dummy and start crying Pakistan Pakistan. Send the PROOF to Pakistans courts first and wait for the out come.Some one across the border needs to do more as well!
@Chulbul Pandey, you are bad at making sarcastic comments then. Yes we know exactly who our enemies are and they are both internal and external.
This is not our war I repeat this is not our war. We shouldn't get into this mess and it takes no rocket science to understand who controls these Jihadist muslims who'd kill on demand. NATO supplies don't need to be reopened.
@Hi There: Mr. Hi There, you may have missed my point entirely, I am afraid. Rather than explaining my simplistic and sarcastic comment, let me ask you a question instead - do you actually know who your enemies are? Is it India and other countries plotting against the great Islamic nation or is it the enemy within?
Thanks for replying to my post but please read comments carefully before responding.
Sincerely!
Still Establishment wants to continue with search for good Taliban?
@Chulbul Pandey, During a battle do you ask your enemy to apologise for every casuality on your side? No, you continue fighting and kill your enemy. This is exactly what Pakistan is doing. Next time please think before you post a ridiculous comment.
extremely sad news! InshAllah, their blood will not go to waste and someday, somehow this country will be freed of militancy and its sympathizers. Just a question to the Taliban/jihadi brigade apologists, does this not violate our sovereignty? is this not murder by our enemies? is the blood of these soldiers somehow not at par with those who were killed by nato? Will our pseudo intellectuals in the media wake up and expose the brotherly nations that support the spread of militancy in my country? This is the land of Sufis and mystics who spread Islam through tolerance and piety instead of guns and bombs? Pakistan, InshAllah, will be freed of hypocrisies of the so called ummah and its closest ally the US of A, provided we wake up and recognize the game that is being played with us. Nothing can stop Pakistan from fulfilling its destiny as a state following the fundamental principles of Islam with tolerance and an open heart towards all. Pakistan Zindabad!
Sad to hear about the tragedy and angry why our defenses have become so weak that we can't even defend our border or challenge the intruders. It's always the same areas, same type of attacks and similar casualties.
@ Mirza, totally agree with your comments. These wild animals must be treated in similar fashion as they did with our soldiers. There should be no mercy for senseless and barbaric elements. Use ultimate force to get rid of this cancer which is causing irreparable damage to our country and society.
This is an extremely horrific news. Unfortunately, there will not be a single demand for apology from the perpetrators. There will be no Dharna against this atrocity and there will be no Difa resolution passed. Blaming self-created monsters, even for their ill-actions, is bad for business, I guess.
That's right - blame India, US, Israel and the Zionist West for these killings. After all, how can a Muslim kill a fellow brother Muslim, right? Sad.... very sad!!
@Col Imtiaz: what is the soultion for the last 11 years pakistan is engaged in terror war, 35,000 people have lost their lives But still the terrorism is growing by each passing day. What is the solution?
Can some one pass this news to Imarn khan and "Defaey-Pakistan" tunnel vision people
@Aarvey, are you saying there are no taliban/extremists in Afghanistan side? you are right One wonders if good sense will ever prevail in your country.
We have bought this on ourselves - our CJ releases terrorists on bail , our population showers terrorists with rose petals and our ministers attend rallies of banned outfits. Our leaders have allowed extremism to flourish over the years and now we are paying the price
It strange to see some of the comments blaming the US, India and th Afghans. Beheading is a peculiar trait mastered by the Taliban and other religious extremist groups. Still there is no uproar against them but instead Pakistan is now blaming safe havens in Afghanistan. One wonders if good sense will ever prevail in that country.
Of course the US is after these things. They are weakening the Pakistan Army by using the Afghan forces across that difficult terrain. The US used the Pukhtoons against the Soviet and now they are using them against Pakistan. How smart is the US, there is no doubt about their genius. They will withdraw in 2014 and till then Afghan Forces will be capable of confronting Pakistan Army. The US will supply the ammunition to the Pashtoons and they will carry such attacks. I am not sure for how long this will continue.
Extremely sad news.
True face of jihadhi muslim brothers ... and yet we have the guts to say that this isn't our war.
@Mirza 200% agree with you. I don t have anything to say but one thing to our
Judishery
Plz don t give them any more Bail and make sure they stay at the prison .
So now we should blame Americans as they blame us everything that happens in Afghanistan?
Please make no mistake about it, there are no good terrorists. They only have one and the same mission no matter which side of the border they are. Now the shoe is on the other foot and we know how it feels to be a victim of these terrorists again and again. This is our war and we have to eradicate the terrorism before it kills us all. Where are those who advocate talking to these terrorists? All the misdirected anger and outrage toward the drones should be directed at these fundamentalist jihadists.
I think that the only solution is for Pakistan to erect a fence or wall on its border with Afghanistan so that the infiltration of Afghani and Indian agents into Pakistan is stopped. If the US can put up a wall / fence on its border to keep out unwanted Mexicans, why can't Pakistan do the same to keep out unwanted Afghanis and their agents. Why not demand that NATO finance this wall before opening ground routes because these foreign agents have hurt and killed countless Pakistanis in addition to damaging the economy.