Washington: Pakistan’s top military brass in an extraordinary meeting held on Sunday refused to carry out action against Haqqani network on American order, US TV reported.
Pakistan’s top military commanders announced Sunday that they will not take action against the Haqqani network, the Pakistan-based militant group that the US suspects in two attacks on Western targets in Kabul this month.
The announcement signals a certain measure of defiance from Pakistan, which the US has accused of aiding and abetting the Haqqani network. Washington has repeatedly asked the Pakistani government to do more to undermine the group’s operations.
Pakistani commanders agreed to resist US demands for an offensive in North Waziristan, where the Haqqani network is believed to be operating. “We have already conveyed to the US that Pakistan cannot go beyond what it has already done,” an unnamed official said.
In an unusually frank assessment a top US military official last week accused Pakistan of backing the Haqqani network and aiding its recent attack on the US Embassy and a NATO compound in Kabul, Afghanistan.
In the most blunt remarks by a US official since Pakistan joined the US-led war on militancy in 2001, the outgoing chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, on Thursday testified before the US Senate that the Haqqani militant network is a “veritable arm” of the [Pakistani intelligence agency] ISI. He also for the first time held Islamabad responsible for the Kabul attack, saying Pakistan provided support for that assault.
Pakistan has denied that it supports the Haqqanis, and say it can’t take further action against the network because it is focused on battling its own domestic Taliban insurgency. A crackdown on the group, which has extensive alliances in the border region and has “mastered the rugged mountain terrain,” would result in heavy casualties, according to Reuters.
The official Pakistani response to Washington’s accusations has been sharp and included threats of ending counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription