On whose side is US anyway?

The US-led Nato forces vacated more than

half a dozen key security checkposts on the Afghan side of the Pak-

Afghan border just ahead of the major Pakistan Army ground offensive

(code named: Rahe Nijaat) against Taliban-led militants in the

volatile tribal area of South Waziristan, it is learnt.

It is feared that the American decision will facilitate Afghan Taliban

in crossing over to Pakistan and support militants in striking back at

the Pakistani security forces in the troubled tribal area.Latest

reports indicate that the Americans have also removed some posts close

to North Waziristan, which could encourage even more Afghan Taliban

fighters to cross over to the Pakistan side. This has raised many

eyebrows in government and military circles with points being made

about “conflicting interests” and dubious American designs.The NWFP government, civilian and military officials in the provincial capital have been astonished by this move and more so intrigued by its timing. Alarmed and concerned about its likely adverse affect on the military operation in S Waziristan where the Pakistani troops reportedly comprising 28,000 soldiers are expected to face fierce resistance from the heavily armed Taliban-led militants, the NWFP government recently alerted the relevant authorities in Islamabad about it.Pakistan has now taken up this matter with the Americans and conveyed its serious concern about vacating the checkposts at this crucial juncture. Notably the security checkposts on the Afghan side of the border are already almost a third of what Pakistan has on its side.