Jihadi attacks sabotage Indo-Pak-Afghan talks

Jihadi attacks sabotage Indo-Pak-Afghan talks By Subhash Chopra The killing of five Indian soldiers in Kashmir by state or non-state jihadis and the Taliban attack targeting the Indian Consulate in Jalalabad, east of Kabul, within the first week of this month ( August 2013) are a triple Samjhota sabotage – aimed at destroying peace prospects among India , Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Pakistani authorities, as expected, have denied any hand in the deadly skirmish in the Poonch sector. The Taliban too have routinely denied any part in the Jalalabad attack that missed the Indian target but killed 12 Afghans, including eight children in a nearby school. The brazen attacks are clearly timed to torpedo current efforts of the leaders of the three countries trying to give a new push for peace in the region following the emergence of the new government of Pakistan led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Just days earlier Pakistan Prime Minister had sent special envoys to Afghanistan and India to renew the peace process. He had sent senior diplomat and civil servant Sartaj Aziiz to Kabul as a personal envoy to President Hamid Karzai to douse the fires of suspicion and mutual recrimination that have become the norm between the two countries over the past several years. It was and is a timely gesture to reduce the immense distrust that has developed between the two neighbours. In a parallel move towards India, the eastern neighbour, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sent Mr Shahriyar Khan, a senior and seasoned diplomat and uncle of the late cricketer Tiger Pataudi, to New Delhi with special greetings for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other leaders to kick start closer relations on which both leaders are already agreed. Nawaz Sharif’s public declarations for stronger ties with India before and after Pakistan’s recent elections have gravely discomfited pro-Taliban elements in several quarters in Pakistan. The attacks are clearly designed to cast a big shadow over the meetings of the Indian , Pakistani and Afghan leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session next month in New York. Nawaz Sharif’s repeated declarations to improve trade relations with India, including possible purchase of electric power, have sorely disturbed fanatical elements, many of whom are in quite high places within the Pakistan establishment. His refusal to mention the thorny issue of Kashmir during his election campaign has not been forgotten by the militant elements. In fact, his search for peace with India goes long back to his earlier stint as Prime Minister when he invited former inidian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in what is fondly remembered in both countries as the halcyon days of bus diplomacy of 1998. That was before he was toppled from power and exiled. This time he has returned with a solid mandate but he still needs to be wary of saboteurs who regard India as eternal enemy and consider Afghanistan as a protectorate providing ‘strategic depth’ to Pakistan. Another key element of this sabotage was the easy movement of people between India and Pakistan following the new implementation of the facility of no prior visas for senior citizens above 60 years crossing the borders. All that hassle of travelling long distances and endlessly waiting at the mercy of babus and clerks could hopefully become a thing of the past. Coming back to the Jalalabad attackers who have fired this warning shot at the peace makers in the three countries, it is safe to presume that they are a Taliban faction, whether supported by rogue elements in Pakistan’s ISI or acting independently. Whether they are the Haqqani faction or some other group is immaterial. It is equally certain that the attackers find Jalalabad an easy target as it is a short drive from the Afghanistan – Pakistan border behind which they have safe sanctuary ,indeed militarised power houses. ..........................................................................................................