ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is actively considering the establishment of a 4 to 8kilometre buffer zone inside Afghan territory at selected hotspots alongthe Durand Line, highly placed defence sources told Dawn on Wednesday.
The proposal, still under inter-ministerial deliberation, is not intendedas an act of aggression but as a last-resort protective measure afterrepeated failures to stop cross-border terrorist attacks, particularly bythe Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Official sources said Islamabad has conveyed to Kabul in recent weeks thatcontinued sanctuary and logistical support to TTP inside Afghanistan leavesPakistan with little choice but to create temporary safe zones toneutralise launch pads.
Defence analysts note that such a step, if implemented, would mark thefirst time Pakistan physically extends its security perimeter beyond therecognised international border since 2001.
The proposal has gained traction after November witnessed some of thedeadliest attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with securityforces suffering over 100 casualties in the past month alone.
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Islamabad maintains that Afghanistan remains in breach of the DohaAgreement commitments by allowing TTP to operate freely, a charge theTaliban regime routinely rejects.
Military officials stress the buffer would be limited to specificvulnerable segments and withdrawn once Kabul demonstrates effective controlover its territory and ends support to anti-Pakistan elements.
Source: www.dawn.com/news/1875432″>https://www.dawn.com/news/1875432
