Haqqani network a lethal threat: ISAF commander

The Deputy Commander of US forces in Afghanistan has termed Haqqani network a 'lethal threat'. While briefing the reporters in Pentagon via live link from Kabul, Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. James Terry, Commander, ISAF Joint Command and Deputy Commander of US forces in Afghanistan, he said that Haqqani network was a lethal threat but "our forces remain engaged to neutralize that". He recalled that Haqqani network had carried-out some attacks in Kabul recently but suggested that "their ability to attack outside Kabul had been greatly reduced". He, however, refused to clearly attribute recent skirmishes on the Af-Pak border to the activities of Haqqani network. "My area of operation is more inside Afghanistan, so I can t say whether the tension on Af-Pak border is also because of Haqqani network", he said. It must be noted here that the US has been pushing Pakistan for action against Haqqani network and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is set to present a report in Congress on September 9th as to why the Haqqani network should not be designated as a foreign terrorist organization. On the recent tension at Af-Pak border and allegations of cross border attacks from both sides on each other, Lt. Gen. Terry ruled out the possibility of this resulting into a full-scale conflict. "I do not anticipate any war breaking out between Pakistan and Afghanistan because of recent cross-border attacks", he said in response to a question. He said that discussions between ISAF and Pakistani military had improved relations since the Salala attack last November. "We are trying to make sure with Pakistan that we talk to each other instead of fighting", he maintained adding that this had helped improve border coordination mechanism in recent months. "We are engaged in military-military talks with Pakistan very frequently", he explained and believed that this could provide a basis for better security relations with Pakistan. He emphasized that the US and ISAF forces were determined to learn from the event in the past to forge better relations with Pakistan for peace and stability in the region. On the increasing number of insider attacks on ISAF forces in Afghanistan, he conceded that this was a cause of concern. "Insider attacks by Afghan forces are a threat and in full focus of the ISAF forces and Afghan government. ISAF commander, Gen. Allen has talked directly to President Karzai about it and we are commited to taking steps for stopping these attacks", he pointed out. Explaining the steps that had recently been taken to check this trend, he said ISAF and Afghan government had started to re-look at a number of individuals and start a vetting process of all 352,000 members of ANSF. "We are looking at the role of religious and cultural advisors who work closely with Afghan forces besides a number of other factors that are likely to be involved", he said. Lt. Gen. Terry, who is serving his third term in Afghanistan, revealed that almost 25 percent of insider attacks were believed to be insurgent-related "but we don t know the cause of remaining attacks". He regretted that insurgents were killing and intimidating Afghan population at an alarming rate. "Insurgents were still a threat but their capability to carry-out attacks is eroding", he added. He appreciated the progress made in Afghanistan despite the on-ground challenges. "We have made tremendous progress in capability and number of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), who are now taking the lead in security operations in 75 percent of provinces in Afghanistan", he informed. Regarding the 11th anniversary of 9/11 attacks approaching next week, he said that this was an occasion to remind everybody why the US and ISAF forces were present in Afghanistan. "Our aim is to create a more stable Afghanistan, with the chance to develop institutions. We want to make sure that Afghanistan will never again be a safe heaven for terrorists even after the drawdown in 2014", he stressed.