ISLAMABAD: The army reiterated on Tuesday its longstanding demand of the Afghan government to dismantle sanctuaries of the Pakistani Taliban leadership on its side of the border for the success of the ongoing military offensive in North Waziristan.
“We expect Afghan security forces will either eliminate or handover Pakistani Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah, who controls his fighters from across the border,” military spokesperson Major General Asim Bajwa said at a briefing for Islamabad-based foreign media.
“The chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is in Afghanistan, and from there, he controls his fighters here,” said Bajwa, flanked by Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch and Minister for Information Pervez Rashid.
He said the government had taken up the issue of Fazlullah and the presence of other TTP leaders on the other side of the border with Afghan officials on a diplomatic and military level.
The director general Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistan has sought cooperation from Afghan authorities for the success of the major operation in North Waziristan -- code named Zarb-e-Azb.
“We have also requested Afghan security forces to reinforce its border areas so that no terrorist enters from the Pakistani side of the border, [along with] handing over the Pakistani Taliban to Pakistan” he said.
He said Pakistani forces have also established more posts on its side of the border to foil any attempt by militants crossing the border. “International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces in Afghanistan are also monitoring the border”.
Bajwa rejected the Afghan government’s claim of rockets being fired from the Pakistan's side of the border.
Ruling out any discrimination in the operation against terrorists in North Waziristan Agency, Pakistan on Tuesday made it clear that it will never allow anyone to use its territory against any other country, Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Abdul Qadir Baloch during the briefing.
The Minister for SAFRON said that anybody involved in terrorist activities will be eliminated irrespective of group they belong to.
Drone mission
The military spokesperson dispelled the impression that the recent US drone strikes had links to the operation in North Waziristan.
“It is [a] Pakistan-owned operation. We have [our] own operation plan, [and] we will gain our objectives. Drones are not helping in the operation,” he went on to say.
He said the forces have the support of the Pakistan Air Force and do not need any support from drones.
“Drones are not supporting us and we do not need support from others," General Bajwa said.
Haqqani Network
The army spokesperson said that all “terror groups” are being targeted and there is no discrimination of Haqqanis or no-Haqqanis.
“Our forces will eliminate every terrorist who have sanctuaries in North Waziristan. There will be no terrorist after the operation,” he insisted.
"They cannot escape," he said. "It's very clear that those left inside are only terrorists."
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1701091268-0/Elon-Musk-(3)1701091268-0-270x192.webp)
@unbelievable: The Afghan government doesn't want them to be Mullah Omer turned over. Also Mullah Omer is the least worst Talib. Anyhow, that is a valid issue that you have. Anyhow Pakistan is shutting down the Haqqani Network and has clearly stated that. Al Zawahri isn't in Pakistan and even if he is, he isn't attacking Afghanistan. I also think Pakistan will capture all the Al-Qeada that they can capture. I really doubt the US media narrative about Pakistan "supporting" terrorists when in fact Pakistan wanted to go for a military operation but couldn't because of Kayani's weakness and that it'd make Pakistan look like a US pawn. The US is foolish to publiicly criticize Pakistan. It does itself and Pakistan no favours.
Selective memory? How about Pakistan turning over Jalaluddin Haqqani, Mullah Omar, and Zawahri? How about Pakistan shutting down the Quetta Shura and destroying the Haqqani bases/infrastructure that has been built up over the last 12+ years? Afghanistan is unlikely to have the resources to close down the TTP operations in Afghanistan - don't think Pakistan has the same excuse.
Pakistan should reserve the capability to launch cross border pursuit operations to ensure complete elimination of miscreants. Afghan government is highly unstable and will not be able to support our operations. An eye should also be kept on the Indian influenced boarder consulates on the Afghan territory. They must be rendered ineffective for a successful operation.