Taliban is Getting Stronger and Reviving

Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao

Taliban was ousted from Power in Afghanistan after the intense pounding by the US led allied forces immediately after Sept 9, 2001 attack on World Trade Center in New York. Taliban was created by Pakistan in their Madrasas to counter Soviet occupation forces in Afghanistan duly abetted by Western agencies and after the pull out of Soviet troops Taliban assumed the power in the State. The country returned to the most medieval and obscured ideology where women were forbidden from going to schools. Men were judged by the measured lengths of the beards. The country became a den for drug trafficking as a source of revenue. Al Qaeda emerged in Afghanistan as a notorious outfit and the top leaders including Bin Laden were harbored in Afghanistan. The regime of Taliban turned fundamentalist and the terrorists even hijacked an Indian air craft with passengers to Afghanistan to get the release of fellow Kashmiri terrorists who were imprisoned in India. Taliban destroyed statues of Bamian Buddhas that were nearly 1600 years old against world opinion. Attack on World Trade Center was planned by Al Qaeda and consequently Taliban were thrown out after the attack on American main land by the terrorists (1). Large numbers of Taliban escaped into neighboring Pakistan and are hiding in Waziristan, the most difficult tribal land. These areas were known as North West Frontier Agencies during the British rule in Indian Sub Continent. There is a very great sympathy for Taliban in Pakistan. This was also evident from the rushing of thousands of Pakistani fundamentalist and crazy youth wielding all types of weapons crossing the border and rushing into Afghanistan, yelling and shrieking when US forces attacked and invaded Afghanistan to capture Bin Laden and dethrone Taliban.

Although Tora Bora mountain hide outs were severely bombed by US forces in 2001, US could not arrest Bin Laden and he has escaped. This is attributed to refusal of use of American ground troops at Tora Bora by Pentagon (2). Some sources claim that Laden was killed in the US offensive. There was also rumor that Laden recently died of Typhoid in Pakistan. America reveals that it has captured or killed more than three quarters of Al Qaeda’s known leaders and plotters behind the seen for attack on American main land. Mohammad Aref, Bin Laden’s field commander is also reportedly killed. Khalid Sheikh Mohammad (KSM) another notorious terrorist leader for the 9/11, was arrested in Pakistan and is in prison now at Guantanamo near Cuba along with other Al Qaeda men including Abu Zubaydah, a key facilitator of Al Qaeda. US has achieved a significant success when Abu Masab al Zarqawi an infamous top terrorist responsible for inciting and abetting insurgency in Iraq was killed in US air strike on June 7, 2006 (3). Zarqawi emerged as the most prominent terrorist next to Zawahiri and Laden. It is believed that Laden recommended more attacks on USA while Zarqawi differed and planned major attacks on Arab regimes like Jordon and also on Israel. There are other thugs and Taliban terrorists such as Mullah Dadullah The former Taliban intelligence chief), Mullah Omar(Founder of the movement), Maulvi Obaidullah (Former Defense Minister), Jalaluddin Jalaluddin Haqani Former minister of tribal affairs) escaped from the US forces and are reportedly hiding in Pakistan. Al Qaeda’s deputy Ayman Al Zawahiri one of the most wanted criminal after Bin Laden and number two on the list of wanted of Federal Bueau of Investigation (FBI) is also reportedly hiding in Pakistan (4). In an interview with Tribune Broadcasting on Sept 8, 2006, Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of USA stated “It is difficult to find a single person if they intend to hide . But from the very beginning, we have understood that the search for Osama Bin Laden was important. But breaking up Al Qaeda was also critical to making this country safer” (5). She was right. War against terrorism is not an easy job and success is not immediate. The war is always prolonged, uncertain and also inconclusive. Those who are ignorant of limitations in fighting terrorism draw hasty conclusions against those involved in waging war against terrorism using phrases such as “They are defeated”, “Embarrassed by the terrorists” and “Ill planned” etc. Administration of President Bush is usually criticized accordingly by the press in the third world and sympathizers of Democrats.

After the fall of Taliban, Hamid Karzai has assumed the charge as President of Afghanistan and it is believed that Taliban’s presence and influence is strongly felt in areas such as Helmond, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia and Konar which are adjacent to Pakistan. The proximity of Pakistan and its secured hide outs assist Taliban in conducting hit and run operations against North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops. Afghan Government literally has no control in these areas as per the Indian press. The Taliban is targeting international workers like Engineers, other employees, UN workers, Afghan Police personnel, other local Government sympathizers. They have shot dead UN employee Yar Mohammad, a driver for UN- habitat, the United Nations human settlement program in Western Afghanistan (6). Taliban also abducted an Indian engineer Kasula Surya Narayana on 28 April, 2006 who was working for Bahrain’s Al Moayed Company for executing a project for Roshan, a private Telecom company. He was beheaded subsequently and body was thrown on roadside. Taliban follows such gruesome methods for murdering their victims to spread terror. On earlier occasion, two Indian Engineers working for a Hyderabad based company working on a road project were kidnapped in the Zabul province. They were released after 19 days of captivity after lengthy deliberations between tribal leaders and Taliban (7). These activities of Kidnapping and murder are to spread terror among the workers and engineers working on developmental projects and as a deterrent so that they do not take part in these projects. At times, Taliban are charging these employees as the informers of Americans. Pakistan obviously is behind the scene in these activities as it is against Indian involvement in the development of Afghanistan. Taliban is being protected by Pakistan and therefore they are accountable for all these activities. It is true that Indian Press is usually, rather invariably anti Pakistan in their approach, being a local political scene. But the findings and allegations appear really true and substantial and convincing.

It is also well established that Taliban leaders are comfortably living in Pakistani towns such as Peshawar and enjoy protection and immunity. Taliban are also attacking Muslims who do not subscribe to their outdated, medieval and obscure ideology. The tactics of warfare are also changing from the normal guerrilla warfare. Suicide missions are being taken- up now apart from deliberate frontal attacks. It is also claimed that Taliban are being trained in the techniques by Iraqi guerrillas However this is required to be established. Pakistan which is interested in revival of Taliban is playing a double game of appeasement of USA while clandestinely reviving Taliban. Pakistan has vehemently criticized establishing of Indian Consulates in Afghan cities such as Kandahar, Mazar e Sheriff, Jalalabad and Heart and has protested. It seems Indian involvement in development of Afghanistan as a serious threat to its strategic influence. Pakistan is also much worried that its efforts in reviving Taliban are being exposed by Indian presence in Afghanistan. USA has been paying more attention to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan while ignoring revival of Taliban. Although USA fully understands that the Taliban leaders are hiding in Pakistan in the tribal areas where no law is workable, it is satisfied with occasional arrests of Al Qaeda men. It is really surprising to note that fully knowing that Al Qaeda leadership abetted by Taliban is hiding in Pakistan, USA is unable to pressurize Pakistan for the arrest of these killers and terrorists. The NATO forces fighting Taliban in Afghanistan are fully aware of Pakistan’s involvement in Taliban revival and also pressurizing their Governments to in turn pressurize Pakistan. Thus Pakistan although being part of NATO is more dangerous to world peace and stability and this is being overlooked by USA in spite of warnings from US media. Reasons are best known to them.

Another important aspect of development is that Taliban was invited by Afghan President Hamid Karzai to join his Government as a process of reconciliation in May 2006.As per former Indian envoy MK Bhadrakumar, President Hamid Karzai has refused to name Taliban and he used the phrase enemies of Afghanistan. Thus, Taliban is being turned into a political organization from a terrorist set up. This is a very uncomfortable development to Indian Government. Pakistan is very sensitive to Indian involvement in Afghanistan and it makes no bones about it (8). Afghanistan is impoverished and war torn for several years. Soviet invasion, fight against Soviets, Taliban regime, US invasion have left nothing in the country and is tottering. It has become a pawn in international political game and terrorist net work.

The point to note is that terrorism and guerrilla war can not be won only by military tactics. It is not a game of wishful thinking, planning in drawing rooms over a cup of wine. Terrorism survives with local support. The enemy is not fully defined and confined to a place. It is not a pitted war like conventional wars. The war on terrorism is always prolonged, frustrating and highly challenging. It is also necessary to understand the enemy Taliban in this fight against terrorism. Afghanistan largely constitutes population comprising of Pashtuns and soldiers of Taliban mostly come from this tribe. Other tribes are Taziks, Hazaras and Uzbeks. These groups see The International Security Force (ISAF) led by NATO forces as un- welcome and these tribes have varying degrees of hatred towards the force. The loyalties are based on tribes, families and clans and often change with intermarriages. The bonds are highly personalized. The non Pashtun tribes hated Taliban when they ruled. But actual hatred commenced when Arabs started involving in Afghanistan. Afghanistan was mostly seen as terrorist sponsored State by USA rather than a State sponsoring terrorism. Afghanistan is plagued by drugs and narcotics and this trade is a major source for farmers’ income. Taliban is more seen as Islamo- Facist organization than Pashtun national movement in the words of Greg Mill.(9). It is necessary for the Western powers to fully understand the enemy if peace has to be established in the region. Taliban has not been destroyed. It is very much there fighting the NATO forces along with Al Qaeda. Top leaders are still evading arrest by hiding in Pakistan. It being an ally of USA and a member of NATO is playing a double game of showing sympathy to USA and at the same time clandestinely reviving Taliban and protecting Al Qaeda leadership. The withdrawal of troops from Waziristan by Pakistan has helped in revival of Taliban. President Musharraf has also declared that 2500 prisoners in Pakistan jails would be soon released. These prisoners mostly comprise of Taliban and Al Qaeda men. As per the US intelligence sources, the activities of Taliban have increased three folds owing to these measures. Pakistan’s ISI is actively involved in supplying arms and ammunition apart from training these killers. Although President Musharraf declares that he has nothing to do with these terrorist activities, he just can not be relied up on. This has to be clearly understood by America and Britain. Indian intelligence sources have already declared that Pakistan is fully involved in the train bombings in Mumbai this year. Involvement of Pakistan born nationals in the grand plot for hijacking and blowing up USA bound flights in UK was exposed by UK authorities (10). Thus Pakistan is proved to be an established nation sponsoring, abetting, reviving and unleashing terrorism in the world. Apart from these activities of involvement by Pakistan, incompetence of the Afghan officers in the Eastern and southern provinces of Afghanistan and corruption in the Government has alienated people from the Government. They are fed up with administration. The Government of Hamid Karzai is seen as an incompetent one. He is handicapped by the shortage of troops. There are only 40,000 Afghan troops in the country against 70,000 that was the original figure planned by USA. There are 20,000 American troops and another 20,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan. Chances of sending more troops to Afghanistan are remote and what Afghanistan needs is monetary funds for development. The American aid has fallen to US $ 300 Crores in 2006 from US $ 430 crores in 2004. In the coming years the aid may come down to US $ 110 Crores. In this scenario it becomes essential for USA to take note of Pakistan’s role in promoting terrorism. It will not be difficult to smash the Al Qaeda leadership in Pakistan if USA takes charge of the operations against Al Qaeda and Taliban in Pakistani territory. Lot of time has been wasted out on this front and USA now at least must realize the double game of Pakistan and smash Al Qaeda leadership in the country on its own (11). Of course this will cause a bitterness and heart burning. But this is a must if terrorism is to be eliminated in the region. Pakistan should be declared as a terrorist rogue State. Top terrorist leaders are hiding in Pakistan, giving a long rope to them is not understood. Already valuable time has been lost. Unless Taliban’s top leaders along with Al Qaeda leadership are cornered and eliminated, Taliban would reemerge as a powerful force in the region much to the discomfort of Western Powers and would threaten world peace. In a recent visit of Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair to Afghanistan where he met troops fighting the Taliban, he declared that the fight in Afghanistan is the war against Terrorism in 21 century and troops shall remain in Afghanistan as long as they are required and Terrorism is crushed. Till Al Qaeda and Taliban are eliminated West will not be free of danger. Thomas Kean, former New Jersey Governor and Republican chair of the 9/11 commission that investigated the government’s security mishaps leading up to the 2001 hijackings stated “I know of no body in the intelligence field who does not believe there will be another attack”. Threat of terrorism against USA remains chillingly lethal five years after 9/11, and officials predict another massive attack is not a matter of if-but when (12). President George W Bush now is facing dominant Democrats in both Houses. But he has already stated that that the war on terror would go on as scheduled un- abated. Can he accept and expose the double game of Pakistan and turn the tide in the coming two years? Does the American and British top Brass realize at least now that it is Pakistan that is the real abettor and exporter of Terrorism in the world and accordingly has to be taken to task? It has to be seen how a NATO partner will be tackled? There is still time and all is not lost as made by the cynical critics and third world prejudiced press. Some battles will be always lost in any war but finally war against terrorism has to be won whether it is Democrats or Republicans ruling at Capitol House. The war against terrorism must go- on whether President George W Bush is in Power in USA or Tony Blair is at the helm of affairs in Britain. It is not any one’s baby. All sane powers of the world must join this war to crush the terrorists. Unfortunately the countries of the world feel that the war against terrorism is the responsibility of USA and UK only. Countries such as Russia, France, Italy and Germany which show lip sympathy and play Cat on the wall game should contribute substantially in this fight against terrorism. India which is fighting Islamic terrorism from across the western and Eastern borders for nearly two decades must contribute significantly in the war against terrorism by physical actions instead of showing lip sympathy and preaching moral standards and lessons to the world community particularly to West.

Bibliography.

1. Prof Dr Colonel (Retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Strategic studies into Muslim fundamentalism, its rise in India and its growing threat to India’s security across the borders, Ph D Thesis, TIU, USA, 2003, PP

2. Paul Krugman, Five years later Osama is still free, New York Times (By arrangement) as cited in Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date September 12, 2006,

3. V Balachandran, The Zarqawi myth, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, June 12, 2006, PP7

4. Seema Mustafa, The return of Taliban, Indian intelligence sure Pakistan behind revival, Deccan chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date May, 2, 2006, PP 9

5. Stephen Collinson, 5 Years after 9/11. Laden still taunts US, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date September 11, 2006, PP 13

6. From Herat in Afghanistan,UN employee shot dead in Afghanistan, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date September, 14, 2006, PP 9

7. Ramesh Ramachandran, Indians have little or no support. Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date May 2, 2006 PP 9

8. MK Bhadrakumar, Taliban is a political reality, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date May 2, 2006, PP 9

9. Greg Mill, Get to know the Taliban, International Herald Tribune in Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabd, AP, India, Date September 16, 2006, PP 7

10. Compiled from dispatches, Britain foils the Big one, 21 held in UK, most of Pak origin,Mid air Bomb Plot, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date August 11, 2006, PP 1-3

11. Max Boot. Pakistan is promoting Afghan fire (Afghan mantalanu egadostunna Pak in Telugu) (With special arrangement with Washington Post), Eenadu daily, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date November 21, 2006, PP 4

12. From Washington, Experts: US likely to be hit again, Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, AP, India, Date September 11, 2006, and PP13

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