PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD:
A day after Taliban insurgents crossed over from Afghanistan and mounted a deadly ambush on a patrol of Pakistani security forces, officials confirmed on Monday that 13 troops were killed, seven of them kidnapped and then beheaded.
This came as Islamabad lodged a ‘strong protest’ with Nato and Afghan forces, accusing them of failing to act against militant safe havens in Afghanistan.
The move is likely to intensify tensions between troubled allies Islamabad and Washington, which are currently involved in difficult talks to repair ties.
More than 100 militants based in eastern Afghan province of Kunar entered Upper Dir district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and attacked a military patrol on Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Monday.
“In the (ensuing) exchange of fire, 11 militants were killed while six security forces personnel embraced Shahadat (martyrdom),” it said, adding that another 11 soldiers went missing after the ambush.
However, security officials said that seven of the 11 soldiers were beheaded by militants.
Around mid-day on Monday, the militants again fired two rockets from across the border which landed on Tripman heights in Lower Dir, officials said. “The rockets were followed by a hail of gunshots.”
The Malakand chapter of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the ambush.
“Our fighters mounted the attack as the Pakistani security forces reached the Sunai Kandau area in Barawal Tehsil of Upper Dir,” Sirajuddin, the group’s spokesperson told The Express Tribune by phone from an undisclosed location.
He claimed that 17 troops have been killed and that they were in possession of 16 bodies. He further claimed that the TTP militants had also seized 17 G3 rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition in the raid.
“Our fight will continue until the establishment of Islamic Sharia in Pakistan ... We will fight whoever tries to stand in our way,” Sirajuddin said.
Incensed by the deadly ambush, Pakistan summoned the Afghan deputy head of mission to the Foreign Office to register a ‘strong protest’. “The Afghan diplomat was informed that the government of Afghanistan should take appropriate measures to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in the future,” said the Foreign Office statement.
Fazlullah Wahidi, the governor of Kumar province, said militants were based in Pakistan, not Afghanistan. “We don’t have any information about militants crossing the border from Afghanistan to attack troops in Pakistan,” he told Reuters.
(With additional input on Reuters)
Published in The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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@Zoro
I think your are forgetting this is not pay back for Kargil, this people we will handle do not make any crafty comments.I think this will be handled soon
@zoro: So you are admitting that TTP are supported by India as payback for Kargil? Good to know.
@Hammad: best option. end of all safe heavens in the whole region.
Take it easy, they are freedom fighters acting on their own :). And evidence is not strong enough to act.
United States is running out of its patience, as stated by the American defense secretary, disregarding all : sanctuaries and safe havens in Afghanistan.
After this tragic incident,Pakistan has reached its verge of patience,
Allegation has repeatedly been leveled that Pakistan in its tribal areas have safe havens of Tallibans and Huqqani Net Work is operating in Waziristan bordering Afghanistan,now facts has appeared on surface there are sanctuaries and safe havens in Afghanistan's remote areas which is beyond the supper power.
It must be admit that there are many groups called freedom fighter operating with tremendous coordination against Karzai government and allied forces. but United states put all responsibility on Pakistan.
Unfortunately,negotiation with Talibans has been failed,they have refused to own some condition put before them by the United States.
According to the well informed,reliable independent sources,new conditions are under preparation.Once again,negotiation table would have decorated with negotiators and there are chances of success.
""""The banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has admitted that it is using Afghan soil as a springboard for launching attacks on Pakistani security forces. A spokesman for the group said Maulana Fazlullah, who earlier led Taliban fighters in Swat Valley, was currently leading the attacks from Afghan soil. Fazlullah, also known as Mullah Radio, escaped to Afghanistan when the Pakistan Army launched an operation in Swat in 2009."""
Attacks from/to either side aren't good but, as far as complaining is concerned, Pakistan's ability to move people one way or another is at a large disadvantage due to who complained first. Since the US got to it first, they can actually use the "we'll care more when you start doing something about your side." For Pakistan, due to being second in the order, they just inherit the label of a hypocrite few are going to sympathize with. It's just simply the way games of stubbornness are played. I'm sure Pakistani readers aren't going to like me pointing that out but, well, all I'm doing is pointing it out and the situation is still what it is even if I don't.
Have u send any dossier to Afganistan ?
Cross-border attack: Pakistan furious over Taliban raid"
Ahh. So Pakistan can provide safe havens to Afghan Talibans despite getting PAID to fight the war on terror. Pakistan can provide cover to push Afghan jihadis into India and call these foreigners as freedom fighters. But when the shoe is on the other foot, it does pinch does it?
You sow what you reap.
Some people believe that Indians are involved in the terrorist activities inside Pakistan. Its very strange note that no Indian causality reported so far... Only NATO solders, Afghan solders, and Pakistani solders are getting killed along with Taliban terrorists.
Either one of the following Situation is possible.
Indian militants are so superior that its is impossible get injured in fighting.(No Indians believe this) India is not involved in any kind of terror activities (Pakistan don't believe this) If we assumes that Indians are giving only financial aid to these terrorists.( But where is money come from? all Pakistan believe that India is poorest country in south Asia)The level of hypocrisy is incredible. Safe havens supported by pak are attacking its supporter. And instead of acting on cutting on spport and closing thr tap on its on side the lodge a protest....
Yah Allah
Why so furious? Weren't these non-state actors?
United States doesn't control Afghanistan. Never has, never will. This is Vietnam all over i.e. "Cambodians are collaborating with Vietcong!"
"Islamabad lodged a ‘strong protest’ with Nato and Afghan forces, accusing them of failing to act against militant safe havens in Afghanistan."
I find this statement so funny.
Ulta chor kotwal ko dante.
Protests won't do any good. Just blow up the American Embassy, it would send good message to those who mastermind such attacks.
The US reaction will be predictable. It will say, "You first" deny safe havens for Terrorists targeting NATO forces from North Waziristan.
US intentionally decided to pull back from certain areas to teach Pakistan a lesson, to be occupied by Pakistani Taliban facing heat in Pakistan, when Pakistan refused to go after safe havens in North Waziristan.
Brilliant move by the US. Made Pakistan taste its own medicine and its very bitter.
What goes around, comes around.
Remeber Kargil ?? Pakistanis did same to Indian soilders... what goes round .. comes around..