Kabul chooses belligerence over cooperation

Afghanistan on Monday said that it has delivered what it said a list of 85 Taliban operatives and 32 training camps based in Pakistan to the country's Foreign Office and GHQ for a "solid action" against them. Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Omar Zakhilwal, through a Twit and a Facebook post said that he had delivered the "documents" both to the Foreign Office and GHQ containing the details of "85 Taliban operatives and their training camps in Pakistan."
"I did pass on documents both to Pak MOFA [Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs] as well as to GHQ [General Headquarters] as mentioned in a press release by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs today," the Afghan envoy said. "In addition, I had a very positive meeting with Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the PM on Foreign Affairs, and a constructive talk with the GHQ right after my return from Kabul today," he said, adding that as a result he expects quick de-escalation of the current tension and the creation of a more positive environment for responding to each other's concerns and grievances in a cooperative manner. "We have agreed tentatively on a way forward," he added.
Earlier, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through a press release stated that it has delivered a list of at least "32 terrorist training camps allegedly based in Pakistan" to the country's government and asked for a "solid action" against them.
"The letter also added a list of at least 85 Taliban operatives and their leaders in Pakistan. It included other terrorist groups such as the Haqqani terrorist network which have conducted major crimes against the people of Afghanistan to Pakistan. This was with the intention that Pakistan launches a crackdown against the insurgent groups and hand over the terrorists to the government of Afghanistan," the press release added. It further stated: "Pakistan has responded positively to the letter. However, Kabul expects of Pakistan to take firm action against the terrorist groups...The government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan expects to jointly work with the Pakistani government on the issue of the list and the concerns the two sides have over their problems so as to deal with matters in a responsible and constructive manner.
"The government of Afghanistan stresses if the violence against the people of Afghanistan is not stopped, the government of Afghanistan will continue its efforts and for more sanctions against terror groups and their financiers through international mechanisms, and from the UN platform in particular," the statement of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs further stated.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also confirmed the meeting between the Adviser and the Afghan envoy. He described the meeting as positive and constructive, adding it held in a cordial atmosphere. He said the two sides agreed on working together for improving the bilateral relations. He said that the Afghan ambassador also assured his government's full cooperation with the government of Pakistan.
Agencies add: Meanwhile, Pakistan Army has readied a major operation against the terrorists as a large supply of arms and ammunition including artillery was shifted to the Pak-Afghan border area on Monday. According to the military sources, Pakistan Army has moved artillery near Pak-Afghan border to prevent movements of terrorists as the security has been beefed up at the border.
Meantime, the number of security check posts in border area has been increased. Pakistan Air Force also will take part in the operation. Afghan officials said a number of special forces had been deployed to the border to counter any Pakistani raids. "If they continue their attacks we will respond in kind," said Attahullah Khogyani, a spokesman for Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province. In Asadabad, the capital of Afghanistan's Kunar province, also on the border, hundreds of Afghans gathered to protest against Pakistan and to ask foreign governments to put pressure on it.