And Pak-US relations
Islamabad was more than happy, naturally, to see a US drone take out the notorious Jamaat-ul-Ahraar (JuA) chief Umar Khalid Khorasani in Paktia on Tuesday. Pakistan has long asked for just such action in the border areas, where TTP and splinter groups entrenched themselves after Zarb-e-Azb drove them out of Pakistan. Khorasani was responsible for approximately 100 terrorist attacks in Pakistan since TTP disowned him for swearing allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakar al Baghdadi in 2014. Despite the successes of the military operation, JuA has repeatedly displayed the ability to regroup and strike well enough to inflict heavy damage.
The Americans have been curiously busy with their drones over the past few days, especially in the border areas. In this week alone, three strikes have killed at least 31 people. The Trump Administration has made no secret of its liking for the drone program; which is why it is sidestepping some of the operational controls put in place during the Obama Administration – like thorough vetting before striking, etc. But, interestingly, the unprecedented rise in drone attacks is increasingly focused around TTP elements which, as mentioned before, Pakistan has repeatedly demanded but with little luck till now.
Perhaps this shows yet another shift in Pak-US relations, which had deteriorated sharply after President Trump’s recent Afghan policy statement. It seems Washington is beginning to understand Pakistan’s war gains as well as constraints better since Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif’s more open and sincere engagement. And with yet another quadrilateral moot underway to wrap up the Afghan war, the Americans will expect Pakistan to try that much harder to help with their burdens in their war as well. Tuesday’s predator strike, therefore, not only decapitated JuA, it also provided impetus to a potential Pak-Afghan-US working relationship as all sides prepare for yet another push to end their lingering wars. Having tried and failed so many times, they might not find such environment anytime soon.
“Khorasani was responsible for approximately 100 terrorist attacks in Pakistan since TTP disowned him for swearing allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakar al Baghdadi in 2014.”
How very strange to learn that people are not told that a Muslim swears allegiance to no one but the Lord. The Kalimah is the assertion of that allegiance.
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