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| India-Pakistan |
| Kabul parades 'Pakistani bombers' |
| 2008-06-24 |
| Afghan authorities paraded two alleged Pakistani militants before the media in chains and handcuffs on Monday in a fresh attempt to highlight cross-border infiltration by insurgents. The governor of southern Kandahar province said the two men were would-be Taliban suicide bombers, but one of the Pakistanis told reporters he had only entered Afghanistan to fight US-led and NATO-led forces. The public display comes just over a week after Afghan President Hamid Karzai sparked a major diplomatic row by threatening to launch attacks on militants based on Pakistani soil. Jihad, not suicide bombing: “I came to Afghanistan for jihad but am not a suicide bomber,” the alleged militant, identifying himself as Ali Ahmad in his 20s from Quetta, told reporters at a press conference in Kandahar. He said he was a student at a religious school in Pakistan and was encouraged to fight in Afghanistan by a fellow student who managed to escape arrest. The second Pakistani national, his hands and feet tied with chains and introduced as Abdul Zahir, did not speak at the news conference, which was hosted by provincial Governor Assadullah Khalid. The two were arrested on Saturday in the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak along with their Afghan guide as they were on their way to the troubled Zehri district of Kandahar, Khalid said. “The two Pakistani suicide bombers along with their Afghan guide were arrested two days ago. One of them, Ali Ahmad, has confessed,” Khalid said, despite Ahmad’s denial. Helmand arrest: Separately, four men, including three Pakistanis, were arrested in a station wagon filled with explosives in the neighbouring province of Helmand, provincial intelligence chief Muhammad Naeem said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #6 At this point the Afghans can't yet control all of the territory Pakistan does not claim. When they do and are capable of managing a border war, then it will be time for them to discuss renegotiating the Durand treaty. If given a choice at that point, I wonder which way the border tribes would choose? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-06-24 21:06 |
| #5 He said he was a student at a religious school in Pakistan and was encouraged to fight in Afghanistan by a fellow student who managed to escape arrest. Oh, c'mon, Ali! It'll be fun! Whoops...see ya. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-06-24 17:38 |
| #4 I think you mean "high time" or "about time" instead of "real time", JFM. I also think we don't currently have the national will and/or wherewithal to deal with Pakistan as it needs to be dealt without glassing over the entire country. Now, if the Afghans themselves wanted to take on the project it might be fun to watch. |
| Posted by: Abu Uluque 2008-06-24 17:36 |
| #3 Am I the only one who thinks that given that the Durand treaty is now expired it is real time that Afgahanistan recovers the territories conceded to the British and who are now part of Pakistan? Just like that 40km band of Saudi Arabia who was occuppied by the Seud in the 20s and whose inhabitants were ver second classs citizens? |
| Posted by: JFM 2008-06-24 11:06 |
| #2 Without foundation? |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-06-24 10:01 |
| #1 brainwashed at the madrasses funded by saudi is a common theme here!!!! |
| Posted by: Paul 2008-06-24 09:21 |