Pakistan

General Raheel seeks Afghan cooperation to locate Charsadda attackers

Army chief says initial investigations have revealed the attack was being controlled from a location in Afghanistan

News Desk January 21, 2016

Army chief General Raheel Sharif arrives at the Bacha Khan University. PHOTO. AFP

Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Thursday reached out to Afghan president Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdulah to seek cooperation in locating those responsible for the terror attack in Charsadda, said DG ISPR Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa in a series of tweets on Thursday.

#COAS called Afgn President Ashraf Ghani,CE Dr Abdullah Abdullah& Comd Resolute sp Msn in Afgn,Gen John Campbell&shared details with them-2
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 21, 2016

At least 21 people were killed when gunmen armed with grenades and Kalashnikovs attacked a university in Charsadda on Wednesday.

#COAS asked for their cooperation in locating&targeting those responsible for this heinous act and bring them to justice-3
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 21, 2016

Attackers handled from Afghanistan: ISPR

During the call, General Raheel shared details of the incident with the Afghan leadership and Commander Resolute Special Mission in Afghanistan, General John Campbell.

As investigations&leads so far, Charsada terror attk was being controlled from a location in Afgn through Afgn Cel fone by a TTP operative-1
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 21, 2016

He also said that investigations have revealed that the attack was controlled from a location in Afghanistan through an Afghan cell phone by an operative of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

COMMENTS (23)

JK | 8 years ago | Reply @Humza: So, what you are implying is that all the security related and valuable assets have been secured. The lives being lost are just a small and easily affordable price we have to pay. Specially, since they get martyrdom, it is worth it anyway.

US CENTCOM | 8 years ago | Reply Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families during this difficult time. It is hard to imagine the pain and suffering of the friends and family at the moment. The readers’ comments clearly depict the rage and anger that presides at this time. We sincerely hope that all those affected may find the strength to get through this extremely difficult time. The ongoing acts of terror prove that the terrorists continue to counter the efforts of both nations to secure and stabilize the region. The importance of shared cooperation was again emphasized between Pakistan and Afghanistan during the recent visit by President Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan. We’ve always emphasized the importance of regional cooperation between the regional partners, and the current situation requires both nations to cooperate and coordinate against those who pose a risk to the safety of people in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Imran Khalid | 8 years ago | Reply If Pakistan can arrest facilitators after Pathankot attack then what is problem with Afghanistan. India interest in Afghanistan is to have trade links and to de-stabilize Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi is visiting China, Afghanistan and Bangladesh only to lobby against Pakistan. Look at statements of Indian Defense Minister and still India claims to be "Innocent". Afghansitan should concentrate on its development and must not take dictation from any country even Pakistan.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply Afghanistan should tell Pakistan to do dialogue with Taliban who attack Pakistan just like Pakistan tells Afghanistan to have dialogue with Taliban who attack Afghanistan. Two can play this game.

vasan | 8 years ago | Reply Stevenson : This is incorrect. Afganistan opposed Pak's creation in 1947 itself and has been fighting on the border issues with Pakistan. Added problems were Paks unwarranted intervention in afganistan thru the talibs along with US in spawning the terrorists and madressa students for " a few dollars ". Afganistan has been reduced to rubbles by bombing by the americans and talibans. Kandahar hijack drama and the escape by the JeM chief to Pakistan and subsequent support by the pak establishment to the maulana alone will justify involvement by India , if at all there is any. Afgan refugees were the creation of the cold war between Russia and USA "ably" assisted by the foot soldiers of the "Land of the Pure" and has nothing to do with India. Owning the responsibility will be the first step to solve problems. Not conspiracy theories. ET Pl publish

Humza | 8 years ago | Reply @Shahid Akram: You are mistaken. Pakistanis have united against these criminals and cowards who attack civilians and children. The government and military has come down hard on them which is why they can only attack soft targets like schools, or bazaars where women shop.

Sid | 8 years ago | Reply @stevenson: This is exactly why you guys will never have peace. You are looking everywhere to find the monster but ignore the one you have in your own yard. Set an example if you guys are so great, handover the Mumbai massacre culprits and pathankhot culprits, take away the samjhota and charsadda attackers. Are you willing to do that level of co-operation ?

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply @stevenson:

Afghanistan has allowed itself to be a willing puppet state for India

Just because you say it doesn't make it a fact. So far Pakistan has failed to provide any evidence to the world.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply @stevenson:

Afghanistan has allowed itself to be a willing puppet state for India

Just because you say it doesn't make it a fact. So far Pakistan has failed to provide any evidence to the world.

Shahid Akram | 8 years ago | Reply Nobody cares if Pakistanis are killed including our own government.

usman | 8 years ago | Reply When APS attack happened. General Raheel Shareef went to Afghanistan to charge culprits. Nothing happened there. Even the get evidence that omer mansoor behind it. After a year another attack happened in university. Again he called to afghan president to catch culprits. Country who cannot defeat Taliban and in turmoil. How they can catch these culprits Again it was bogus call. Nothing gonna happened

Asok | 8 years ago | Reply It's not a secret that the Kabul governmet's writ does not run everywhere in Afghanistan. Where exactly did the help/control come from? If it is from Taliban controlled areas, then the only strategy is to join with Kabul in helping to eliminate the Taliban.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply When Afghanistan demands that Pakistan take action against Taliban it is told by Pakistan to conduct dialogue. Should Afghanistan now also give the same answer to Pakistan to conduct dialogue and take no action?

buba | 8 years ago | Reply @stevenson:

@Hameed: Afghanistan has allowed itself to be a willing puppet state for India and this has to stop before peace returns to the region.

What make you think you have any say over who Afghanistan decides to do business with? Your so arrogant you don't even realize Afghanistan is a sovereign nation which has made more progress towards Democracy in a few years than Pakistan has since it's inception.

Dr.M.M. Khan | 8 years ago | Reply It is always easy to blame a foreign country for your problems. The usual conspiracy theory comes into play from the military agencies. Unless we take a collective action against this scourage it is not going to disappear. We all know who provides the sustenance to these terrorists in Pakistan but are scared to talk openly about it. We need a holistic approach against this medusa's head. The security forces cannot be every where all the time. Ask what you can do for your country and not what the country can do for you.

Human | 8 years ago | Reply @stevenson Brilliantly said. The hate that Indians carry against Pakistan in their hearts since Pakistan's creation is never ending. Entire India today is anti-secular and ultra right wing- a recipe for self destruction!

Jerry | 8 years ago | Reply @stevenson: Great Post. Completely agree. If Afghan Government keep allowing its territory to be used against Pakistan, Pak government should declare the policy of exercising the right to hit TTP or any other non state actor's strongholds in Afghanistan even if it has to nuke them. The chankiya in New Delhi was prompt in condemning the attack on ASP and now in Charsadda.

stevenson | 8 years ago | Reply @Hameed: Afghanistan has allowed itself to be a willing puppet state for India and this has to stop before peace returns to the region. Decades of being an Indian vassal state has only brought misery to common Afghans who are smuggling themselves all over the world as refugees. Would it not make sense for the regime in Kabul to work together with Pakistan instead of just blindly being a stooge of the Indians? Even former US Defense secretary conceded that India uses Afghanistan as a base to conduct cross border mischief in Pakistan.

Rex Minor | 8 years ago | Reply General Raheel seeks Afghan cooperation to locate Charsadda attackers. The Paki Geeneral has a sense of humour; he is seeking those outside the country who are seeking him and are making routine visits now. Rex Minor

Omar Sadiq | 8 years ago | Reply General Saab......since this govt and their predecessors are as incompetent as anyone can be;if others can launch an attack on our soil to take out their target, why can't we take care of this ENDIAN agent Fazlullah across the traitorous land known as Afghanistan????

Spooky | 8 years ago | Reply Afghanistan is all ways attracting terrorist. Its a hub and epic centre for terror operation.

Prada | 8 years ago | Reply A wise man once said: Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.

Hameed | 8 years ago | Reply Good distraction from local assets.

Replying to X