Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 7, 2010
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/ISI-pressing-Taliban-to-fight-US-troops-in-Afghanistan-Report/articleshow/6706812.cms
Pakistan's powerful ISI is pressing Taliban
commanders in Afghanistan to fight the US and allied troops and "kill
everyone" so that no peace deal is cut to end the war without Islamabad's
involvement, a media report says.
"The ISI wants to arrest commanders who
are not obeying (ISI) orders," a Taliban commander in Kunar province
was quoted as saying by 'The Wall Street Journal'.
"The ISI wants us to kill everyone -
policemen, soldiers, engineers, teachers, civilians - just to intimidate people,"
he said.
Citing US officials and Afghan militants,
the report said the members of Pakistan's spy agency are pressing Taliban
field commanders to fight the US and its allies in Afghanistan.
"The explosive accusation is the strongest
yet in a series of US criticisms of Pakistan, and shows a deteriorating relationship
with an essential ally in the Afghan campaign," the paper said.
A senior Pakistani official, however, dismissed
the allegation.
"Whenever anything goes wrong in Afghanistan,
ISI is to be blamed," the official said. "Honestly, they see ISI
agents behind every bush in Afghanistan."
Now, the ISI's motivation to keep friendly
relations with the insurgents is believed to be desire to keep its leverage
in Afghanistan when the US eventually leaves, as well as preventing India
from getting cosy inside the war-torn country, the report said.
The newspaper further pointed out that the
suspicions against the ISI are once again renewed at a time when the US is
shifting focus to the militants that have found sanctuary in the lawless tribal
regions of Pakistan, which border Afghanistan.
The Taliban and Haqqani network are believed
to be planning and executing the majority of their attacks from the safe havens
in North Waziristan and South Waziristan tribal areas.
Earlier, a declassified White House report
said that Pakistan is not doing enough to combat terrorists and extremists
in its restive tribal belt where some of the most wanted insurgents are hiding.
"The Pakistan military continued to avoid
military engagements that would put it in direct conflict with Afghan Taliban
or al-Qaida forces in North Waziristan," WSJ had reported citing the
27-page White House report which is to be given to Congress.
