ISI still providing covert support to Taliban: US media
What's the story
Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI continues to support the Taliban in the border region covertly, a US media report claimed, naming specific neighborhoods in the country that are being used as safe havens by the terrorists. An investigative media report alleged that Taliban terrorists from Afghanistan travel freely to a Pakistani army garrison in Quetta where they meet with military and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials.
Taliban hub
Taliban works with the ISI in a small border district
"We believe top Taliban leadership are operating from Pashtunabad, Gulistan and surrounding areas," an unnamed intelligence source was quoted by the report. Killa Abdullah, a small border district, is another area where the Taliban is working with the ISI. Within that district, Chaman, bordering Afghanistan, is a Taliban hub where terrorists operate openly and are known to local residents as Talibs, it said.
Taliban fighters
Taliban fighters spotted on road from and to Kuchlak
Taliban fighters have been spotted along the road from and to Kuchlak "with automatic weapons either in motorbikes or in four-by-four vehicles along with two to five companions," the source said. The report said that the ISI also conducts security patrols in facilitating Taliban transit along the main highway to Kuchlak, using a Toyota SUV that is owned by the ISI.
Powerless police
Police not permitted to stop Talibans from traveling
Claiming that ISI security is an open secret there, the report said police are not permitted to stop Talibans from traveling from Afghanistan to Pakistan and the fighters refuse requests at checkpoints for identification by stating they are Talibs. "These people freely travel in Quetta, Chaman and nearby areas. Police are also powerless and afraid for their own security," American intelligence sources said.
Details
Jungle Piralizia, a Taliban resting place after their campaigns
The intelligence sources further described Jungle Piralizia, south of Chaman, as a Taliban "resting place after their campaigns in Afghanistan against Western forces". "The region has been scene of clashes between local police and Taliban fighters, who are known to retaliate against local police who try to arrest them, in one case blowing up a police vehicle and killing several policemen," the report added.