By NNN-APP
Washington : US Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates said Friday that al-Qaeda insurgents who were launching attacks in Afghanistan have now shifted their focus to Pakistan, attacking the government and the people as he stated that the two allies are working together to enhance the South Asian country’s ability to combat terrorism.
He was speaking at a press conference hours after a suicide bomber attacked an Eid congregation in northwest Pakistan, claiming lives of 50 worshippers and injuring scores more on the religious occasion of Eid ul Adha.
“Al Qaeda right now seems to have turned its face toward Pakistan and attacks on the Pakistani government and Pakistani people,” Gates remarked.
Pakistan, a key ally in the fight against terrorism, has been a victim of a spate of terrorist bombings this year, which prompted President Pervez Musahrraf to take strict law enforcement measures last month as the country carried out actions against militants in Swat and tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.
At the Pentagon Press conference, Gates acknowledged Pakistan army’s success in its counter terrorism efforts in Swat and also noted that al-Qaeda activities along the remote and previously ungoverned border areas have not affected Afghanistan, where the US and international forces are fighting a resurgent Taliban amid increased concerns about lack of concerted security effort in that country.
According to Gates “some of the areas in the frontier area have become areas where al-Qaeda has re-established itself.”
“But so far, we haven’t seen any significant consequence of that in Afghanistan itself,” he added.
A number of militants crossed over to Pakistan from Afghanistan in 2001, when the US-led forces dislodged the Taliban government in Kabul and took action against al-Qaeda that used Afghanistan as a base for terrorist attacks.
The Defence Secretary also noted a substantial decline in cross-border movement by militants.
“I heard just this morning, in fact, that the number of fighters coming across the border in RC (Regional Command) East is down about 40 percent.”
Pakistan has been a vital ally in the fight against terrorism since 9/11, having captured hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives. The country has deployed 100,000 troops along its border with Afghanistan to curb terrorists’ movement and activities.
In the context of US-Pakistan cooperation, Gates said the Pentagon is in contact with Pakistan military in terms of how it can help them through both training and equipment.