Pakistanis seek havens in Dangam: Senators

KABUL-based militant groups are employing a variety of tactics to make permanent sanctuaries in the Dangam district in eastern Kunar province and some other border towns, a Senate delegation claimed on Sunday.

The upper house delegation returned to Kabul after visiting Dangam district, saying they had observed hundreds of well-armed rebels fighting against the uprising groups.

Senate Chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar was part of the seven-member Senate team that travelled to Dangam district to study the situation.

The delegation presented its report to the Meshrano Jirga today. Ali Akbar Jamshedi, a member of the delegation, said: “We could not go to the fighting site but we did visit Asmar district and talked to local officials and people.”

The report alleged soon after the withdrawal of foreign forces from Kunar, Pakistani-based terrorist groups started striving to establish sanctuaries and terrorise the local population.

Quoting the Kunar governor, Jamshedi said that Pakistani militants were also fighting against the Afghan security forces to destabilise border districts and thereby pave the way for their infiltration.

The security forces needed weapons, ammunition and more reinforcements, he said, adding it was of paramount importance to flush out foreign elements from the embattled district.

Rafiullah Haidari, another member of the delegation, said the Afghan security forces were confronted with Pakistani Taliban and army in Dangam.

“Pakistani insurgents have been killing locals, torching their homes and kidnapping them but Dangam authorities and residents have received no support from the central government,” he alleged.

Muhammad Alim Ezedyar, deputy chairman of who chaired today’s session, said that security institutions should work out a comprehensive plan to prevent the Dangam clashes.

rm/mud

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