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Kabul urges Pakistan to step up anti-terror effort
Afghanistan urged neighbouring Pakistan to press ahead today with efforts to eliminate militant hideouts, regardless of the believed death of Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud.
Afghanistan urged neighbouring Pakistan to press ahead on Wednesday with efforts to eliminate militant hideouts, regardless of the believed death of Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud.
Asked about Mehsud’s reported death in a US drone attack, President Hamid Karzai’s spokesman said Pakistan should not relax efforts to stop militants crossing the border, which Afghanistan calls the Durand Line.
The bottom line was that “the hideouts of those who are causing unrest inside Afghanistan from... neighbouring countries, be eliminated,” Homayun Hamidzada told reporters.
This must be done “so destructive forces are not entering our country through the Durand Line,” he said.
Afghanistan does not accept the border with its neighbour, which was drawn up by Britain in the 19th century and which Kabul says has robbed the country of swathes of land.
“Wherever the enemies of Afghanistan are killed is good news but as I said before, the main question is that the broad struggle against terror with the support of the neighbours must proceed,” Hamidzada said.
Pakistani and US officials believe Mehsud was killed last week but a top Taliban commander insists he is alive.
