South Asian Gazette Worldwide News Work
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s continuing operations in the war against terrorism ‘have had some success in reducing violence’ from militancy and sectarianism, said a report prepared by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and submitted to the US Senate’s Armed Services Committee.
“The country desires operations against the anti-state elements present in Afghanistan and, at present, looks towards the United States and Afghanistan for their cooperation in this regard,” the Worldwide Threat Assessment update stated.
“Islamabad is likely to proceed with its counterinsurgency operations and border management efforts along its western border while sustaining counterterrorism and paramilitary operations throughout the country,” the DIA report read.
It also said Pakistan intends to continue its operations against border infiltration and will sustain border management at the Western Afghan frontier. “These efforts have had some success in reducing violence from militant, sectarian, terrorist, and separatist groups, but Pakistan will look to the United States and the Afghan government for support against anti-Pakistan fighters in Afghanistan,” it added.
Taliban, as usual, are a threat to the peace and stability in Afghanistan and are increasing their stronghold in the tribal areas, the DIA report claimed. “Rural areas will remain contested between the Taliban and the ANDSF over the next year as the Taliban consolidate control in these areas and attempt to pressure provincial capitals, predominantly in the south and northwest.”
However, the Afghan security forces are gradually gaining footing by bumping up their defensive capabilities and have, at numerous instances, averted attacks in densely populated areas. “We expect the Taliban to threaten Afghan stability and undermine public confidence by conducting intermittent high-profile attacks in urban areas, increasing influence in rural terrain, threatening district centres, and challenging vulnerable ANDSF locations.”
It was stressed that the Afghan security forces need to take steps to eliminate corruption. “The ANDSF will almost certainly need to focus on increasing its fighting capability, improving its leadership development and unity of command, and countering corruption to further develop a sustainable security solution in Afghanistan that would compel the Taliban to seek negotiations to end the conflict,” it said.
