Across the border incursions and atrocity

By Aliya Harir

ALBAMA (USA): Chitral has remained an area of peace, love and affection for Afghan refugees for over 30 years. Half million people of this part of the country opened their houses for over two million Afghan refugees and accommodated them just like their own brothers and sisters.

Many of the present Afghan leadership have born, grown and educated in Chitral. Our ancestors used to tell us that Afghan people have special respect for Chitrali people for the hospitality we extended to them during their stay in Pakistan.

The recent attack on the innocent Chitral Scouts, Chitral Police, Border Police posts and the civilian population of Chitral is a matter of serious concern for the humanity lovers, especially for the youth of Chitral. Over 60 people have been killed and many dead bodies of the slain security personnel have been thrown into the roaring river of Chitral which is a clear sign of shameful barbarism and naked aggression from the guests to their host families of Chitral.

The youth of Chitral is asking from their ancestors, is this the reward of our hospitality to Afghan brothers and sisters? Is this the message of Islam during the holy month of Ramadan?

I am sure this is not the act of Afghan brothers and sisters as they might have been exploited with the name of Jihad and if this is Jihad, it should be against aggression and not peaceful people of Chitral. I am sure Afghan people will hand over those elements to Pakistan and maintain our mutual trust and confidence without playing in the hands of outside forces.

May I wish to draw the attention of the Chitral Scouts, District Administration, Chitral Police as how they were prepared to cope with the raising security threats in the area? Why the forces are not trained to meet with such a situation? Why they were not equipped? Considering the past performance of Pakistani forces in many cases including GHQ Attack, Abbottabad operation, Karachi Naval Base attack, we have failed to find a solution to the persistent problems.

May I also ask NATO and Afghan National Army how they were not aware about the mounting foreign Taliban activities from their territory?

According to the ISPR, intelligence information was shared by Pakistan with the Afghan government and NATO about presence of terrorists in Kunar and Nuristan provinces and their local Afghan support network. Why action was not taken and why the information was ignored? If there were intelligence information available with Pakistani authorities, why Chitral Scouts and district administration failed to adapt preventive security measures?

Who will be held responsible for the loss of 60 precious lives of Chitralis? The reports of an unusual movement of NATO helicopters across the border in Kunar province during the attacks in the area, as reported by media, need to be answered.

I wish to appeal to United State of America to look into this continue aggression of Taliban from a cross the border into Chitral, which is historically a peaceful land in Pakistan.

Being a Chitrali daughter, I wish to appeal to our local leadership to learn lesson from our recent history and prepare our security personnel well trained and well equipped to cope with emerging security threats in our area to maintain the peaceful environment of Chitral. This part of the country is strategically of high importance for the security of Pakistan. We expect from the high-ups of the Armed Forces for establishment of permanent security posts of Pakistan Army, supported Pakistan Air Force in the southern and the western borders of Chitral, especially Nuristan and Kunar valley to counter any aggression into Chitral.

I wish to appeal to the Chief of International Human Rights Commission to take up the matter at appropriate level so the precious blood of Chitrali should not be wasted.

At last but not the least, we the students community in United States condemns in strongest possible term indiscriminate act of terror in Chitral. Our deepest sympathy is expressed at the death and suffering caused to the families and loved ones who have been the victims of this terrible atrocity. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The evil people who planned and executed this attack on our beautiful and peaceful land to demoralize and divide Pakistan and Afghan brothers and sisters across the border will not be successful. It is vital that we stand together shoulder to shoulder and remain united in face of this evil terror and in this moment of crises.

The good race relations and bridges we have built over many years can only grow in strength and these evil deeds make victims of us all. Our humanity and our diverse community will grow stronger to oppose and overcome those who spread fear, hatred, divisions and death.

Furthermore, on the basis of humanity we also strongly condemn all other forms of terrorism in any form or shape throughout the world, as those could well be the direct result of such criminal attacks in our country.

Our unity and determination to overcome these crises as many others will show those who committed this heinous and cowardly act and those who wish to use this type of acts to incite religious and racial hatred that it will not divide us.



The writer is Goodwill Ambassador on US-Pakistan Relations, International Human Rights Commission.