It is no secret that terrorist organizations like the TTP and the Haqqani network have been conducting their criminal activities in the Afghanistan and Pakistan border region. It benefits them to see sovereign nations remain suspicious of each other so they can continue to gain local influence with less resistance.
It goes without saying that Afghanistan and Pakistan should maintain positive and productive channels of communication for the betterment of the region. Terrorist organizations must not be allowed to work against our shared peace objective, and risk the safety of the land and people.
There have been also many speculations regarding Daeshs presence in the region. Several former TTP commanders have already pledged their allegiance to Daesh. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-33469-Six-TTP-commanders-pledge-allegiance-to-ISIS
Last year, Daesh activists were spotted in Peshawar distributing pamphlets praising the group. Pakistans Foreign Office has acknowledged that Daesh posed a serious threat to the country. http://www.dawn.com/news/1165415
It was widely reported that Daesh launched its first coordinated attacks on police checkpoints in an eastern Afghan province. It is safe to say that the threat of terrorism remains high, and given the seriousness of the situation, we cannot overemphasize the importance of shared cooperation between the Afghanistan and Pakistan.
How much emphasis do you place on the joint cooperation (between Afghanistan and Pakistan) in regard to countering terrorism?
Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
It goes without saying that Afghanistan and Pakistan should maintain positive and productive channels of communication for the betterment of the region. Terrorist organizations must not be allowed to work against our shared peace objective, and risk the safety of the land and people.
There have been also many speculations regarding Daeshs presence in the region. Several former TTP commanders have already pledged their allegiance to Daesh. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-33469-Six-TTP-commanders-pledge-allegiance-to-ISIS
Last year, Daesh activists were spotted in Peshawar distributing pamphlets praising the group. Pakistans Foreign Office has acknowledged that Daesh posed a serious threat to the country. http://www.dawn.com/news/1165415
It was widely reported that Daesh launched its first coordinated attacks on police checkpoints in an eastern Afghan province. It is safe to say that the threat of terrorism remains high, and given the seriousness of the situation, we cannot overemphasize the importance of shared cooperation between the Afghanistan and Pakistan.
How much emphasis do you place on the joint cooperation (between Afghanistan and Pakistan) in regard to countering terrorism?
Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM