India intensifying proxy war in Afghanistan

LAHORE In the wake of recent spate of violent attacks and unrest fanned by foreign-sponsored elements across the country particularly in Balochistan and FATA, the security sources have warned that Pakistan must remain prepared to brace for waves of terrorism likely to buffet the hinterland in the days to follow, as India plans to intensify 'proxy war in neighbouring Afghanistan. Well-placed sources disclosed to this reporter on Friday that New Delhi is intensifying 'proxy war in Afghanistan to destabilise its nuclear-armed neighbour. 'The top officer of the Indian Military Intelligence accompanied by several leading intelligence operatives visited Kabul in the recent past. The delegation also went to Charikar in Parwan province of Afghanistan, where a large number of Baloch dissidents are receiving training. The DG Military Intelligence of India witnessed the training along with the delegation, the sources said. With the US Forces scheduled to begin packing up their duffel bags for the much-awaited homeward bound journey, beginning in the mid of next year, the Indian intelligence has started mobilising its substantial Afghan assets to challenge Pakistans legitimate security concerns in Afghanistan. The ambitious plans not only seek to exert influence on the Afghan turf but envisage using the substantial intelligence presence in Afghanistan for ratcheting up subversive activities inside Pakistan. Raking up internal instability and destruction in Pakistani hinterland with FATA and Balochistan emerging as the sensitive points for directing such efforts, remain at the heart of the Indian strategy, said a highly placed source. The increasing frequency of high level Indian intelligences secret visits to Afghanistan is indicative of the persistence of a clear and present danger that India, using Afghanistan as a spring board, is endangering Pakistans security. According to well-informed sources, during January 2010 Indian Armys Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI), accompanied by some senior intelligence officers visited Kabul. A surprising aspect of the visit was the presence of over a dozen MOSSAD operatives, who accompanied the Indian delegation during their visit to Charikar in Parwan Province where a large number of Baloch dissidents are receiving training. The visit was facilitated by the Afghan Intelligence Chief who remained present during delegations interaction with Kabul-based officials of Israel and few other countries as well. It is worth recollecting that during 2001-02 period the Indian close cooperation with the Afghan Intelligence, dominated by Indias Northern Alliance allies, was instrumental in airlifting of captured Taleban fighters from Charikar and Shibbergan jails, for use as human clay pigeons to substantiate claims of 'cross border terrorism. According to the sources, a significant aspect related to Indian delegations activities in Kabul was their overbearing emphasis for acquisition of intelligence related to Pakistans nuclear capability. 'This aspect remained under focus during interaction with the Afghan Intelligence Chief as well as briefing of RAW cover officers deputed at the Indian Embassy at Kabul and the four Consulates, the sources said, adding, the Indian DGMI also visited the NATO Parachute Battalion along with representatives of some other intelligence agencies. Among other subjects, reportedly, the matters regarding Pakistans nuclear programme was also discussed. For India, intensifying intelligence activities in Afghanistan come with a realisation that given a post US scenario, India is fast becoming irrelevant to Afghanistan situation. Indias plan of seeking a position of dominance for her Northern Alliance protTgTes at the cost of Pashtun dominated Taliban, has failed. In US, there is an emerging realisation that Indian advice and perspective, that guided her war on terror effort since 2001, have compounded the already complex ethnic divisions, resulting into sharp divisions and polarisation. The London Conference held in January this year has only added to her discomfiture. A flurry of Indian intelligence activities in Afghanistan may not cement her position for the long haul but Pakistan must brace for waves of terrorism to buffet the hinterland in the days to follow, said observers.

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