Afghanistan had once again gone knocking the United Nation’s doors over the Pakistan military excesses in its border areas. In a letter written to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), for the second time in a week, Kabul has protested against Pakistan armed forces’ constant violation of its air space, repeated shelling of Afghan territory, particularly in border districts and villages of Kumar and Nangarhar provinces.
The Deputy Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to United Nation, Nazifullah Salarzai, in a letter to Security Council president Anatolia Ndong Mba, alleged that Pakistan is constructing military posts, barbed wire fences and barriers inside Afghanistan’s territory in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.
Afghanistan said that though the violations date back to 2012, it has increased considerably since 2017. During 2012 to 2017 period, 28,849 artillery shells were fired into Afghanistan by Pakistan resulting in the death of at least 82 people and injuring 187 others, but since January 1, 2018, the number of violations by Pakistan in Afghanistan stands at 161 which include firing 6025 artillery shells into Afghan territory.
Afghanistan said that between 2012 and 2018, approximately 281 protest letters have been sent by Afghan Foreign Ministry to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry but Pakistan seems to be totally indifferent towards the same.
The latest letter dated February 22 is the second official protest within a week, by Afghanistan to United Nations against Pakistan. In the earlier letter dated February 15, Afghanistan alleged that Pakistan government invited a Taliban delegation for a high-level meeting which was attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. “The decision is deeply regrettable as it seeks to recognise and legitimise an armed group (Taliban) that poses a security and stability threat to Afghanistan,” Salarzai wrote in the letter.
Subsequently, Iran had also squarely blamed Pakistan on February 16, for the suicide bombing that killed more than 2 dozens of its troops. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards blamed “Pakistan’s security forces” for supporting the terrorists who perpetrated the attack.
Revolutionary Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari also threatened Pakistan with retaliation if it does not take action against the terrorist outfit on its own.
Meanwhile, India has also been planning hard to avenge the dastardly Pulwama attack executed by Pakistan sponsored terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad. Efforts are being made to globally isolate Pakistan. The clouds of war have been hovering over the Indian sub-continent in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.
Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that Pakistan will be made to pay a heavy price for the transgressions. He had minced no words in stating that India is considering all options to avenge the murder of our soldiers.