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Tuesday, October 18, 2011
ISAF not taking action against Fazlullah: ISPR* ISPR DG says Pakistan has given information about Swat Taliban leader to Afghanistan, ISAF but there has been no action
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Monday that Afghan and US-led forces had failed to hunt down a Taliban cleric responsible for a spate of cross-border raids despite repeated requests from Islamabad, a complaint likely to deepen tension between the neighbours.
The attacks in which terrorists loyal to Maulvi Fazlullah took part killed about 100 members of Pakistan’s security forces, angering the army, which faces threats from multiple militant groups.
“We have given locations and information about these groups to the Afghanistan government and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), but apparently there has been no action,” Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Major-General Athar Abbas, said. “The problem refuses to go away,” he said.
Fazlullah was the Pakistani Taliban leader in Swat Valley, about 160 kilomeres northwest of Islamabad before a 2009 army offensive forced him to flee.
Also known as FM Mullah for his fiery radio broadcasts, he regrouped in Afghanistan and established strongholds, and poses a threat to Pakistan once again, said Abbas.
Fazlullah, a leading figure in the Pakistani Taliban insurgency, is based in Kunar and Nuristan provinces in Afghanistan, said Abbas.
“When they ran away from Swat, Fazlullah’s group was in tatters and was scattered,” Abbas said. “They got time and support in Afghanistan.”
Mansur Khan Mehsud of Islamabad’s FATA Research Centre doubts Fazlullah could take control of Swat or other areas.
“While Fazlullah has the support of local Taliban in the Kunar and Nuristan provinces, he has the capacity to only launch hit-and-run attacks,” he said.
“He does not have the ability to overpower security forces and hold territory.”
It is battling a Taliban insurgency, and has been facing stepped up US pressure to attack Afghan militant groups who cross the border to attack Western forces in Afghanistan.
“Now Fazlullah and his group are trying to re-enter Swat through Dir,” said Abbas.
Only police and paramilitary forces were based in Chitral and Upper and Lower Dir border districts in Pakistan before Fazlullah started raids there. Now regular army units have been deployed to tackle the threat, said Abbas.
Pakistani officials have urged the United States to focus on defeating its enemies in Afghanistan instead of blaming Islamabad for its failures.
Asked about Pakistan’s complaint about Fazlullah, ISAF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jimmie Cummings said: “We are working with Pakistan to achieve our shared goals of lasting stability and security in Afghanistan and the broader region.” reuters
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk