Pakistan-based terrorists threaten our stability: Mohammadi

BRUSSELS (Pajhwok): Afghan defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi on Wednesday told NATO’s and regional stability.

Mohammadi was taking to Afghan journalists after meetings with NATO defence ministers in Brussels, where NATO is headquartered.

He said he had raised the issue of Pakistani attacks on eastern Afghan provinces with US and NATO officials.

He said NATO members and ISAF partners at the meeting vowed continued support and cooperation to Afghan forces, calling the announcement good news for the Afghans and bad news for their enemies.

To a question by this reporter, Mohammadi said he had discussed the rocket attacks from Pakistan on Kunar with NATO secretary general, US, British and defence ministers from a number of countries at exclusive meetings with them.

He said he had asked the officials he met that they should not stay silent over the Pakistani aggression and should cooperate with Afghanistan in this regard.

Mohammadi said terrorist training camps were operational across the Durand Line and the recruits after getting trained were being sent to Afghanistan for attacks.

He said if the international community did not act to dismantle the terrorist camps in Pakistan’s tribal areas, the time was not far when they would threaten the entire world.

About US president Barack Obama’s decision to keep 9800 troops in Afghanistan post-2014, Mohammadi said Kabul welcomed the announcement.

He said NATO’s plan to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond this year was being finalised.

He said the two frontrunners in the Afghan runoff presidential elections had pledged to sign the security deal with the US.

Mohammadi said he received positive response from NATO defence ministers about training and equipping Afghan forces.

He said the Afghan forces had improved a lot and had been able to keep security in much of Afghanistan despite the fact about 100,000 foreign troops had left the country.

He said the tension in relations between the US and Russia had no impact on Afghanistan as Moscow remained committed to providing Afghanistan 16 helicopters.

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