Share this story!            

100,000 troops deployed along Afghan border

* Terrorists on the run from tribal areas due to Army operations

By Khalid Hassan

WASHINgTON: For the first time, it has been officially stated that there are “over 100,000” Pakistani troops on the country’s border with Afghanistan.

The surprise admission from Mohammad Sadiq, acting Pakistani ambassador to the Untied States, was made during a panel discussion on Fox television regarding an earlier report by the right-wing cable channel that a “terrorist summit” had taken place in the area.

Mr Sadiq said, “Pakistan has over 100,000 troops on the western border now - on the border with Afghanistan. It is a territory where troops had never been stationed in history. Since soldiers are there in the border area and they are taking action there, a lot of terrorists from that area have dispersed to other places and they are on the run.”

In the past, the figure for Pakistani troops deployed in the area has been placed at a maximum of 70,000. If the number is now as high as stated by the Pakistani diplomat, then it can be assumed that the number of troops holding defensive positions along the Line of Control is thinner. What implications that has from the point of view of the country’s defence against sudden or possible attack will appear to be in need of careful analysis.

Also taking part in the programme was Husain Haqqani, senior scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who said that while Pakistan deserved credit for arresting a large number of terrorists and terrorism suspects, it should be realised that Gen Pervez Musharraf was an “ally of convenience, not commitment.” He also drew the panel’s attention to charges constantly being made that politics was being played in Pakistan with the war against terrorism. He added that one crucial question to ask was why after two years of this war against terrorism, Al Qaeda still seemed to consider Pakistan as a place it could operate and assemble in, as well as a place where it could seek refuge.

Home | Main

Share this story!