ISLAMABAD - Reluctance of Afghan National Army to act against the fleeing TTP elements crossing over to Afghanistan has irked the Pakistan military establishment, but it wants the US military and CIA to destroy sanctuaries of TTP in areas bordering Pakistan with a meaningful cooperation from Afghan National Army and its intelligence wing.
This message was conveyed in a straightforward manner to the visiting CIA Chief John Brennan by the ISI Chief Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam as the two met recently, sources said.
Brennan, met with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Chief Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam in Islamabad the other day, and discussed latest security situation along the Pak-Afghan border. During his recent Pakistan visit CIA chief also called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif.
The CIA boss was sent to the region by US President Barrack Obama to get the latest security assessment of the region, and also to seek cooperation of the ISI to enhance intelligence sharing as well as help trace the whereabouts of kidnapped US soldier, Bowe Bergdahl, who is being kept by Afghan Taliban.
Pakistani side, during the meeting, pointed out that due to on-going military operation in North Waziristan and elsewhere in the country, the TTP fighters are now moving towards Afghanistan, but coalition forces across the border have shown reluctance to attack those elements, sources said. Head of ISI is learnt to have asked CIA chief to help destroy militant sanctuaries located in Afghanistan, from where the Pakistani Taliban launch their attacks against Pakistan, source told The Nation.
According to sources, Pakistani intelligence expressed its grievances regarding lack of support from Afghan side to root out TTP operating out of their area. They stressed the need of close-cooperation and coordination between the authorities who are crushing Taliban inside Pakistan and Nato forces who have resources and presence very close to the Pak-Afghan border.
ISI chief made it clear before the visiting dignitary that they have information of hidden support from Afghan Army and intelligence for Pakistani Taliban and foreign elements behind-the-curtain terrorism incidents.
Moreover, sources added, the possibility of sealing Pak-Afghan border to stop cross-border movement of Taliban militants was also discussed during the meeting. These militants posed serious threat to both Pakistan and US troops in Afghanistan, a security source added.
Sources said the Pakistani side made it clear that if Afghan side could effectively seal its border then it would be easy for Pakistan military to hunt down fleeing Taliban. But, they felt, this kind of cooperation was not in sight