|
Bannu attack mars talks with Taliban Irony of Govt-Taliban secret talks
December 30, 2011
![]()
As per information flowing in the country, talks are underway between the government of Pakistan and Tehreek-e- Taliban and the delusions about confirmation of such reports received set back when five soldiers were killed and 11 were injured in a suicide attack on FC fortress in Southern Bannu of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
The attack was carried out at the time when a person seated in a car rammed his explosives laden card into rear wall of fortress early in the morning. In another incident of terrorism, FC check post was attacked upon in the area of Mullazai at Tank and consequently one soldier was killed, 17 were injured and 17 others were kidnapped.
Taliban spokesman Ehsan Ullah Ehsan claimed the responsibility of these attacks. As per local police, militants were several hundreds in numbers and they were equipped with state of the art arms.
These attacks were conducted after one month of the attack on Pakistan army check posts on Pak-Afghan borders. However the situation is still very tense on Pak-Afghan borders following NATO strikes and the tension is mounting in the border areas.
Following the increase in pressure of military offensive in North W aziristan agency by US and rejection of this pressure by Pakistan armed forces, NATO targeted Pakistani check post in Mohmand Agency. At least 24 soldiers lost their lives.
Pakistan is facing two potential threats from Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and NATO and US forces. US has not extended apology to government of Pakistan over these strikes.
How ironical it is that on one side US and its allied countries are ready to cross all limits to hold negotiations with Afghan Taliban to make escape from Afghanistan and on other side after rendering sacrifices of 40000 lives in war on terror if Pakistan decides to hold talks with Taliban inside its territory then US parades annoyance .
Certain dubbing the attack on Pakistani check posts as beginning and US is now watching reaction of Pakistani nation on NATO strikes against Pakistani check posts. The coming few months can be very vital in the ties between US and Pakistan. US and its allies will show their reaction and announced their next strategy after watching closely the reaction from Pakistani nation.
NATO forces targeted such a check post in Salala in Mohmand Agency on Pak-Afghan borders from where militants activities in Kunnar from across the border could be watched. In this remote area, essential commodities of daily use were dispatched by helicopters.
One month has been elapsed following attack on Salala check post and country wide protest demonstrations were staged against this military offensive. Unfortunately political parties of the country are involved in leg pulling of each other rather than forging unity in their ranks. Memogate issue is at the centre stage of debate in TV talk shows and the largest opposition party of the country PML-N had moved Supreme Court on memogate issue instead of taking up this matter in parliament. The issue of martyrdom of 24 soldiers had gone to back ground. Had this incident occurred in India we can not imagine what turn the situation would have taken.
Occurrence of two back to back incidents of terrorism is not declaration of failure of secret talks between government and Taliban but the need is there that all possible resources be utilized to ensure lasting peace in the region.
|