KABUL, Afghanistan — For all the conflicts in the world in which Washington is at odds with Moscow, the deteriorating security situation inAfghanistan has been one area where the Obama administration’s interests and Russia’s concerns coincide. Disputes over the wars in Ukraine and Syria had not stopped the governments from cooperating on counternarcotics and securing military supply lines. But after initial success on those fronts, Russia now seems to be disengaging with both the United…
Posts published in “Day: February 22, 2016”
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan — The last of the Afghan forces have pulled out of the strategic district of Musa Qala in southern Helmand Province, officials said on Saturday, months after the Taliban overran most of the district and kept them holed up in desert outposts. The retreat, which had many politicians here mystified, was the latest blow to a province that had been teetering for months. Now, the resurgent Taliban insurgents either control or are…
By Rob Crilly, New York and Danielle Moylan in Kabul Afghan forces withdrew from bases in Musa Qala without firing a shot on Saturday, conceding to the Taliban a symbolically important district of Helmand where at least 23 British soldiers were killed during years of intense fighting. The district had been overrun by Taliban fighters for months but Afghan troops still maintained a base and a string checkpoints. Their withdrawal now raises fears that the…
Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that all villages of Achin District have been cleared of the terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) or Daesh. Achin was considered as a stronghold of the group in eastern Nangarhar province where they had established captivities and were also carrying out executions. Defense Ministry says 1,000 families internally displaced because militancy have returned to their homes in Achin. Officials are now discussing options to establish security posts…
A Pakistani citizen armed with a pistol has been arrested during a special military operation conducted by special wing of the Afghan police from capital Kabul. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) said the Pakistani national was arrested from the vicinity of the capital, without providing further details. MoI said the suspect is in custody of the police and an investigation is underway to find out more details. The identity of the arrested individual has also…
The Afghan intelligence operatives thwarted a deadly attack plot by the Haqqani terrorist network in eastern Paktika province of Afghanistan by seizing two trucks loaded with 12,500 kgs of explosives. The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the explosives were loaded on two trucks and were confiscated by the intelligence operatives before they manage to use them in an attack. A statement by NDS said the explosives were placed under woods and a suspect identified…
Pakistani commentators who are smugly looking at the unfolding situation in JNU Delhi and pointing out the rise of extreme nationalistic agendas and state oppression would do better look in their own country first, where a much more shameful case is taking shape. After nine adjournments – nine extended delays – the court has rejected the bail plea of Umar Riaz, a cricket enthusiast charged with treason for being a Virat Kholi fan and hoisting…
AS both diplomats and political experts have stressed, one key way of improving Indo-Pakistan ties would be to bolster regional integration and trade. However, integration — as well as peace and normalisation — will remain a pipe dream unless the visa regime in the subcontinent is liberalised in the true sense of the word. Speaking at a programme in Lahore recently, Indian high commissioner Gautam Bambawale said there was no better way of improving relations…
It appears that neither side is disputing that the attack on the Pathankot airbase in India had its origins in Pakistan. On January 2, a group of at least six gunmen crossed the perimeter of what was deemed a high-security airbase and proceeded to wreak havoc for three days. They killed seven Indian soldiers and wounded others. India claimed, very quickly, that the attack was carried out by the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and cited phone…
ISLAMABAD: The national security advisers of Pakistan and India have finalised the itinerary for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to visit Pathankot in Indian Punjab, where terrorists had mounted a brazen attack on an airbase early last month, The Express Tribune has learnt from official sources. A delayed meeting between the foreign secretaries of the two countries will be arranged following the visit of the SIT, possibly in March. This comes a day after Pakistan…
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rasheed has said that the government has lodged the FIR in the Pathankot airbase attack after a committee comprising representatives of national security institutions recommended to do so. On Friday, the Counter-Terrorism Department of Punjab police lodged an FIR against four alleged attackers with a police station in Gujranwala under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act. Senator Rasheed said the committee that made…