Bomb Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan, Gen Sharif Tells Washington

US officials visited Islamabad after harsh statements by the Pakistani leaders over the May 21 drone attack.

Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Friday asked the Americans to back off, and urged the visiting American military officials and diplomats to target Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistani leaders operating from the Afghan side of the border.

General John Nicholson, Commander of Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, and Ambassador Richard Olson, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, met Raheel Sharif amid tension between the two countries over the recent US drone strike in Balochistan which killed Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor.

The US officials arrived in Islamabad after a series of harsh statements by the Pakistani leaders over the 21 May drone attack, which came at a time when efforts were underway to start peace negotiations in Afghanistan.

Expressing his serious concern on the US drone strike in Balochistan as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, the (army) chief highlighted as to how it had impacted the mutual trust and respect.

Inter-Services Public Relations Statement

The army chief underlined that the US action was counter-productive in consolidating the gains of Pakistan military operation in the tribal regions.

The statement further goes on to say that Pakistan Army’s Chief, Raheel Sharif, has told the Americans that efforts for durable peace in the region have to be synergised with shared commitment and responsibility in order to make them successful.

Pakistani security officials say that almost all TTP leaders and fighters have fled to Afghanistan after a series of military operations in the tribal regions.

The regional security situation, with particular reference to border management with Afghanistan, and peace and stability in Afghanistan in the post- 21 May US drone strike environment came under discussion, the military said.

The army chief told the US officials that the operation in the tribal regions code-named “Zarb-e-Azb” was launched against terrorists of all hues and sanctuaries of terrorists have been dismantled without discrimination.

“All stakeholders need to understand Pakistan’s challenges with regard to porous border, inter-tribal linkages and decades-old presence of over 3 million refugees. Blaming Pakistan for instability in Afghanistan is unfortunate,” Raheel said.