The Pakistani security services are secretly helping Afghanistan’s Taliban, who assume their victory is inevitable once Western troops leave, a secret NATO document says, according to reports Wednesday.
The leaked “State of the Taliban” report — seen by the BBC and The Times newspaper — was compiled from information gleaned from insurgent detainees and was given to NATO commanders in Afghanistan last month, the media reports said.
It claims that Pakistan and its ISI intelligence agency are aware of the locations of senior Taliban leaders.
The BBC said the report was based on material from 27,000 interrogations of more than 4,000 captured Taliban and Al-Qaeda operatives, plus other foreign fighters and civilians.
“Pakistan’s manipulation of the Taliban senior leadership continues unabatedly,” the report was quoted as saying.
“ISI officers tout the need for continued jihad and expulsion of foreign invaders from Afghanistan.”
The Times quoted the report as saying the Taliban’s “strength, motivation, funding and tactical proficiency remains intact”, despite setbacks in 2011.
“Many Afghans are already bracing themselves for an eventual return of the Taliban,” it said.
“Once (NATO force) ISAF is no longer a factor, Taliban consider their victory inevitable.”
Kabul, which accuses Islamabad of supporting the 10-year Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, put relations on ice after the September murder of its peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani, which one Afghan minister blamed on Pakistani spies.
The US Department of Defense said it could not comment on the report but set out its fears about Pakistan and its influence in Afghanistan.
“We have not seen the report, and therefore cannot offer comment on it specifically,” Pentagon spokesman George Little told AFP.
“We have long been concerned about ties between elements of the ISI and some extremist networks.”
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta “has also been clear that he believes that the safe havens in Pakistan remain a serious problem and need to be addressed by Pakistani authorities.”
In its conclusion, the report said there had been unprecedented interest in joining the Taliban cause in 2011 — even from members of the Afghan government.
“Afghan civilians frequently prefer Taliban governance over the Afghan government, usually as a result of government corruption,” it was reported as saying.
The Times, in an editorial, said Pakistan was “actively hindering reconciliation” between the Taliban and Kabul.
“Islamabad appears to be engaged in a systematic effort to destabilise the Kabul government of (President) Hamid Karzai prior to the withdrawal of Western forces, and to assist those attacking and killing those forces.
“The ISI emerges from this document looking considerably more villainous, even, than the Taliban itself.
“The picture that is painted is very much one of a force that both expects, and is widely expected, to have a big stake in controlling the Afghanistan of the future.”
The Question is do you believe your own Army and ISI?
This isn’t NEWS. Its known fact inside pakistan. We just don’t admit it.
After UBL raid, I do
yeah right
Why American endorse Taliban Embassy in Qatar means US & NATO also cooperating Taliban ?
Whats happening man.
And one more thing: If OBL capture was a joint operation and Army and ISI shared intelligence with NATO the why is the Doctor who gave the ACTUAL information to US about OBL is being charged and arrested? Funny stuff.
A big drama is being played///
believe? we are talking about someone that discovered WMDs in Iraq, for GOd’s sake.
Now that NATO and ISAF are closing down their operations and Pakistan has its foot on NATO's tail (supply route), these kinna reports are expected more often.dont forget BBC's recent documentary aimed at the same concept and maligning ISI, thereby putting the complete responsibility of their failure on taliban/Pakistan collaboration.the election year in USA has made it cautious not to take any adventure and it has embarked upon a path of verbal assault on Pakistan to manage a respectable pullout from the country.
All litrate muslims of the world knows usa and pakistan enymies using taliban against pakistan.
What the Hell NATO is doing with the hands of Amreica .Are they serving the mankind or plays its naked roll to satisfy America and Europe.What services they are doing inpnly Islamic Countries,Why NATO is not active in other parts of the world.they are only to please and play wrongs games in America`s hands.Bcoz America is funding them for its interests only.Why they do not srike in Indian held Kashmirwhy they are silent?Bcoz Indians are very smart and they mislead the whole world by their clever and cheating policies.Instead of helping Pakistan NATO is playing its negative roll which is against its Charters and missions.It is group of international extremists and Public crushing organisation only.NATO is playing its rubbish parts to make America happy and support them in their wrong doings.We condemn this PUPPET ORGANISATION.
It would be impossible to find a person as wise and clever as yourself. You should join the ISI as soon as you can. They need you, and Pasha is about to retire.
Congratulations Mr. Wonderer! U r already part of RAW! It is people like Mr. Butt & yourself who are a constant headache for those, across both sides of the boarder, who want a peaceful sub continent mush like EU prospering !!
this is not a secret, this is well know to entire world that pakistan is helping terrorists.
YES I believe NATO and I DONT TRUST ISI and PAK GOVT OF CHOR DAKU HARAMZADAS ZARDARI-GILANI PPP AND THEIR JIYALAS!
Bro, Zardari may be the biggest robber of the 3rd world but it does not suit us that we shd abuse him! We must show restrain & hope for the best!
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