A Strategy to Deter Terrorism continues....

Perhaps more than any other Islamic nation, Pakistan has acted as a collaborator for Saudi Arabian ideologues of Washabism Islam, and a translator of jihad plans into action; it has provided logistics, training and know-how for jihadist movements around the world. For instance, financially, aided by Saudi Arabia, the Afghan Taliban was Pakistan’s creation.

The Soviet occupation of Islamic Afghanistan was used to build jihad fervor in many Islamic nations. The Soviets found the occupation untenable because political Islam was entrenched in the minds of Afghans and because a relentless and resourceful enemy kept coming at Soviet troops from Pakistan. After the Soviet retreat, the Afghan faction called the “Taliban” consolidated power. The Taliban consisted of former students from Pakistani madarasas (Muslim religious schools) and was the brainchild of Pakistani intelligence—specifically, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). “Talibanization” of Muslim youth is today at the root of anit-Indian terrorism. This is now being repeated when US determination to vacate its troops from Afghanistan.

One unfortunate side product of the Soviet-Afghan war was the modern training in warfare of nationals called Mujahideen, from many Islamic nations, for conducting jihad. Upon returning home, many of these jihadis set about establishing terror cells with the aim of overthrowing existing governments that they saw as un-Islamic. As a result, instabilities were being created in many Muslim nations, including in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan itself. A band of Arab Islamic radicals, including Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts, decided to stay back in Afghanistan and use it as abase for jihadagainst unbelievers. Thus emerged the Bin Laden’s group, Al-Qaeda.

When it quickly became apparent that Al-Qaeda was behind 9/11 attacks, a vastly superior American military invaded Afghanistan and quickly toppled the Taliban and Al-Qaeda from power, with the help of anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. But poor politics, and Pakistan’s complicity, allowed the toppled Al-Qaeda and Taliban leadership including the late Osama Bin Laden, to escape to safe sanctuary in neighbouring areas of Pakistan.

to be continued....

( This account is maintained by Har Anand Publication)