US Intelligence to keep eyes on Al-Qaeda recruitment in Pakistan and Afghanistan

 

New Delhi: 

Once bitten but the US cannot afford to be shy.

In the coming months, the US Intelligence sleuths will get into much more aggressive stances and pro-active roles in order to keep an eye on ‘signs of recruitment’ by Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and nearby areas of Pakistan.

“As we are approaching 9/11, for them to be able to reclaim Afghanistan, think about what that does for recruitment,” says a CNN report quoting an unnamed US counterterrorism official.

The National Counterterrorism Center has noted in a recent report that terrorist groups from Pakistan to Syria have publicly celebrated US ‘defeat’ in Afghanistan.

AP snap 

One particular concern is that the Taliban have released hundreds of prisoners including suspected Al-Qaeda operatives across Afghanistan.

Since the US withdrawal of forces and Taliban takeover, it is apprehended now that a number of senior Al Qaeda leaders who fled to other countries in the past could now return to Afghanistan.

In fact, days before the fall of Kabul, the US Department of Homeland has said that the 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks could serve as a catalyst for violence in the United States.

In the long term, it is being perceived by all stakeholders that Afghanistan could eventually turn into a safe haven from which terrorists can recruit, train, launch attacks and also maintain ‘media operations’ (social media included) to “inspire” attacks in the United States.

On behalf of the US administration, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has already said: “The threat...is something we are focused on with every tool in our arsenal”.

In the wake of withdrawal of US forces, it is already being suggested that the American establishment as of now faces a huge challenge to streamline and ‘fill’ the intelligence vacuum in Afghanistan.

Amid chaotic scenes at the Hamid Karzai International Airport at Aizawl, Taliban militants stand guard as hundreds of native Afghan men and women and children gather to flee the country.

Congressman Steve Chabot slams Pakistan 

Congressman Steve Chabot, Co-Chair of the India Caucus, said in his address to the virtual gala of Hindu Political Action Committee on Sunday that he applauds the Indian government for welcoming the Afghan religious minorities who have a good reason to fear persecution.

“In contrast, we all know that Pakistan and particularly its intelligence services played a key role fostering the Taliban and allowing them to eventually take over. 
It's just disgusting to watch Pakistani officials celebrate the victory of this group that will bring untold brutality to the Afghan people,” Chabot said.

“Pakistan''s own persecution of religious minorities, however, gets a lot less attention here in America than it deserves. We would do well to educate our fellow citizens about these abuses," he said adding persecution is particularly manifests in the heinous practice of the kidnapping, force conversion to Islam and 
forced marriage of underage Hindu girls to older Muslim men. 

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Modi talks to Russian Prez Putin on Afghan situation

New Delhi:

On the eve of crucial G-7 Summit on Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Prime Minister

Narendra Modi on Wednesday, Aug 24, had a detailed and useful exchange of views with 

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Had a detailed and useful exchange of views with my friend President Putin on recent developments 

in Afghanistan. We also discussed issues on the bilateral agenda, including India-Russia cooperation 

against COVID-19," the Prime Minister tweeted.

He also said both the leaders agreed to "continue close consultations" on important issues.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister held tele talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.  

Both the leaders stressed on the importance of 'repatriation' of stranded people in Afghanistan. 

Boris Johnson has recently said in a tweet: “It is vital that the international community works together to 

ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people to secure the 

gains of the last 20 years". 

The virtual meeting of G-7 countries — the U.K., the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy and 

Japan is expected to formulate a new plan for the immediate term and moot long term measures

as hundreds of Afghan nationals and others continue to gather around Kabul airport trying to 

flee Afghanistan.

In the emerging equations in the Af-Pak region, Russia is expected to play an important role along

with two other nations such as China and Iran.

Boris Johnson and others, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are pushing US President

Joe Biden to extend his self-imposed Aug. 31 deadline for the total withdrawal of US and NATO forces

in order to facilitate smooth evacuation of all foreign nationals.

The Talibans have, however, opposed this. 

There will be 'consequences' if the deadline for withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan is 

extended beyond August 31, the Taliban said.  

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