In a highly audacious move, about 200 Afghan Taliban entered Upper Dir district bordering Afghanistan’s Kunnar province to launch an attack on a security post 20 kilometers inside Pakistan. Besides blowing up several schools, they had by Thursday morning killed twenty five personnel of FC and Dir Levies. They blew up the only bridge connecting the area with the rest of the district to stop the reinforcements that were called in. This necessitated the deployment of gunship helicopters and the use of heavy artillery. Meanwhile, the Malakand Taliban have claimed the responsibility for the attack. This indicates that the terrorists who operate inside Pakistan have close links with those in Afghanistan. The incident underlines the need for close coordination between all forces fighting terrorists in both countries. Unless this is done there is little hope of getting rid of the terrorist threat.
Referring to reports about the long awaited operation in North Waziristan, PM Gilani said his government will decide itself if such an operation is required. Similarly, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar maintained that there was neither an agreement between Pakistan and the United States for an operation in North Waziristan nor has any final decision been taken for the operation. Identical views were expressed by Corps Commander Peshawar who told a news conference that the operation was not imminent and that it would only be undertaken when it is militarily and otherwise in the national interest. One can appreciate the point that the type of action has to be dictated by our national needs rather than dictation from an outside power. There are many who believe that dealing a mortal blow to the terrorists has become extremely necessary
Coming soon after the attack on PNS Mehran, the overrunning of the security post in Dir is yet another grim reminder that the terrorists are on the offensive against the security forces and that a decisive action against them is the urgently needed. Their sanctuaries, be these in North Waziristan or any other Agency, pose an existential threat to Pakistan. The incident in Upper Dir is the latest to support the point.
