Ever since the Pakistan Army
operations, Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, have gained successes and resultantly
the terrorists hiding in North Waziristan and elsewhere have fled to
Afghanistan, the TTP has changed its strategy to target Pakistani forces from
across the border. A number of incidents have taken place so far, which caused
damage to not only the fence erected by Pakistan but also loss to human lives
including that of the security forces. This is the reason the Pakistani forces
are observing the maximum alert and thus giving timely response to the
terrorists entering Pakistan for conducting terrorist activities. Terrorists
frequently use their bases, sanctuaries and safe havens provided by local
warlords in Afghanistan as a springboard for launching attacks in Pakistan.
Pakistan has time and against lodged protests with Kabul, but President Ashraf
Ghani’s administration has failed to take meaningful action.
Despite having erected fence and stepped up manning of the border, the
terrorists sneak into Pakistan’s side and conduct terrorist activities. On
October 2, the vigilant Pakistan Army repulsed a fresh cross-border attack in
North Waziristan, killing at least seven terrorists and injuring three others.
Last month, in September, at least nine terrorists were killed in an
intelligence-driven operation in North Waziristan which also resulted in the
martyrdom of seven servicemen, including an officer.
One June 2, 2018, Pakistan security forces killed six terrorists who launched
raids and physical attacks from the Afghan side of the border to disrupt
border-fencing work in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.The cross border raids
were carried out by terrorists in Bajaur Agency and Balochistan’s Qamar Din
Qarez. In Bajaur, there were at least 7 attempted attacks from across the
border. Pakistan is in process of building a fence along the 2600km long pours
border with Afghanistan in order to consolidate the gains of successful kinetic
operations.
On June 14, 2018, the terrorists attacked the security forces in Shawwal, North
Waziristan; the exchange of fire resulted in the martyrdom of three army
soldiers, while five terrorists met their fate. In fact, the terrorists from
across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border attempted multiple physical and fire
raids on the Pakistan Army posts along Pak- Afghan Border in Shawal. Those
martyred included HavaldarIftikhar, resident of Sargodha, SepoyAftab from
Chitral and sepoy Usman resident of Gujrat.
On June 14, 2018, the terrorists attacked the security forces in Shawwal, North
Waziristan; the exchange of fire resulted in the martyrdom of three army
soldiers, while five terrorists met their fate. In fact, the terrorists from
across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border attempted multiple physical and fire
raids on the Pakistan Army posts along Pak- Afghan Border in Shawal. Those
martyred included HavaldarIftikhar, resident of Sargodha, SepoyAftab from
Chitral and sepoy Usman resident of Gujrat.
In a similar incident occurred on April 7, 2016, at least a dozen militants were
killed while six others were apprehended as security officials repulsed a
cross-border attack on a security check-post in Kurram Agency. According to
political authorities and Frontier Constabulary in Parachinar, Kurram Agency’s
headquarters, between 50 and 60 unidentified militants from across the border
attacked a security check-post in MangoraSar area in Lower Kurram Agency, but
the troops posted at the check-post were alert and retaliated.In the ensuing
exchange of fire, security forces managed to kill at least 12 militants and
injured six others. No security official was reported to have been injured in
the attack. Officials added that the retaliation from security forces caused the
remaining militants to retreat towards Afghanistan.The injured militants were
taken into custody by the troops. A large cache of arms and ammunition left
behind by fleeing terrorists was also confiscated.The security forces
immediately took control of the area after the attack and tightened security
measures.
Militants from across the border launch attacks on check-posts in Kurram Agency
from time to time. In February, 15 militants were killed when security forces
repulsed a similar cross-border attack on a check-post in Shabuk. At least one
security official was injured in that attack. On August 11, 2012, nine militants
were killed and several others were injured as security forces repulsed a
cross-border assault on a check post in the Bin Shahi area of Barawal Valley.
Two security personnel were also killed when they stepped on land mines during
the battle, an official said. Dozens of terrorists from Afghanistan sneaked into
Pakistani territory around 2:00 pm and attacked the check-post, in which two
personnel identified as Jamil and Mumtaz were killed when they stepped on a mine
while fighting the attackers. One security official, identified as Mudassir, was
injured. The exchange of fire continued till 6:00 pm in which nine militants
were killed and 13 injured. The attackers took the bodies of their fallen
comrades and injured with them back to Afghanistan. The same week, Pakistan
security forces repulsed a similar attack on a security check post in the area,
killing two militants. In June, 17 security personnel were killed when dozens of
militants from Afghanistan stormed security check posts in the Sunai Darra and
GulunuSar areas of Barawal.
These attacks clearly indicate that one, the Afghan government has failed to
stop such incidents despite having NATO and ESAF assistance, border management
and sophisticated surveillance or monitoring gadgets installed in their own side
of border. Two, despite assurances on part of Kabul government, there have been
no progress in the talks meant to sort out issues including the border security
through dialogue. High powered delegations either led by Afghan National
Security Advisor or other high ranking officials, and their talks as part of the
new mechanism recently agreed between the two countries, have failed to
materialize a meaningful halt in the cross-border attacks. Three, the absence of
the Afghan government’s writ in its border regions, like in many other areas of
the country, facilitates terrorists in carrying out such attacks. Four, Kabul is
reluctant to dismantle these sanctuaries despite repeated requests from
Islamabad. Instead it blames Pakistan for sheltering the Afghan Taliban.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have already reached an agreement to operationalize
Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), which
provides a framework to strengthen mutual trust and deepen interaction in all
spheres of bilateral engagements. It is also a mechanism for finding solutions
to bilateral areas of concern. It is advisable that both the countries must
follow APAPPS in letter and spirit so that the gains achieved against the common
enemy may be consolidated and peace brought back to the region.Any attempt to
disrupt peace efforts will further prolong the ongoing chaos, and diminish the
hope of peace and tranquility in the region.