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WASHINGTON: US Defence Secretary James Mattis has underlined the role that American forces played in removing Pakistan’s most wanted terrorist, as Washington sends a senior envoy to Islamabad for peace talks.
“The forces engaged against the terrorists basically killed Fazlullah, the head of the Pakistan Taliban (TTP),” said Mr Mattis while talking to Pentagon journalists in Alaska.
This is a rare confirmation of a terrorist’s elimination by a senior US official and comes amid renewed efforts for restoring peace in Afghanistan where the United States has been engaged in an apparently unending military campaign since 2001.
Usually, US officials do not talk about targeted attacks, particularly when it involves a drone, as it was a US drone that killed Fazlullah. While the US continues to use drones to eliminate terrorists, it prefers not to confirm or deny such attacks. Senior US officials are particularly careful because it’s often difficult to confirm the kill.
Secretary Mattis, however, not only confirmed Fazlullah’s elimination but also explained why it was important to do so. Diplomatic observers in Washington see this as a reminder to Pakistan that the US did them a favour by removing their most wanted terrorist. Now, they need to return the favour by cooperating with the United States in its efforts to jumpstart the Afghan peace talks.
The Trump administration is sending a senior envoy — Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alice G. Wells — to Islamabad next week to explore the possibility of a permanent peace in Afghanistan.
A transcript released by his office on Wednesday shows Mr Mattis identifying Fazlullah as a terrorist leader “well known” for ordering the 2014 Peshawar School Massacre.
On Dec 16, 2014, six TTP gunmen attacked the Army Public School in Peshawar and killed 149 people, including 132 schoolchildren. It was the world’s fourth deadliest school massacre.
Secretary Mattis noted that Fazlullah’s men killed the “school-going children and teachers” and unleashed a reign of terror in Swat.
“I’ve been to Swat … one of the most stunningly beautiful places you’ll ever go on earth, I’ll tell you.
“If you’ve — for those of you who ever get there, for a good trekking opportunity,” said the US defence secretary while explaining how Fazlullah turned a heaven into a hell.
“There, his reign was known until the Pakistan military threw him out, for the beheadings he was able to carry out there to impose his will, which didn’t last long but was certainly murderous while he was there.”
Secretary Mattis noted that Fazlullah also ordered the murder of Malala Yousafzai, the teenage girl who “strongly represented education for children”.
Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2018
Comments (13) Closed
Dont understand the logic of asking Pakistan to bring taliban on table to talk. Pakistan brought them 3 times on the table for peace talks but America's buddy India foiled that attempt. So USA sould better ask Ajit Doval to not to become spoiler and kill American soldiers and make USA loose the war in Afghanistan
We pakistanis do not need enemy of outside, we continue to deprive smaller ethnicity like Mohajirs and Balochis to live under continuous operation and deprive them from their legitimate leaderships like AH.
It's not enough to show your sincerity, do more please.
@John hoffman thanks. you are the very few who think that India so powerful so as to dictate to the US. Love you for that.
First , thank you for killing the most wanted terrorost in Pakistan . Period
@John hoffman agreed !
Pak will do whatever is its best national interest, this should be made clear to the General
Thank you, USA
@John hoffman - The logic is that Pakistan was the first nation to recognize Taliban govt and continues to have good relations with the,
elimination of Fazlullah is good gesture, but it is not enough...the US and Afghan Govr should do more to eliminate the whole network of TTP which is operating from Afghan soil against Pakistani people and army...We demand to eliminate and flush out like Pakistan did....We are proud that the whole world count not defeat Afghan Taliban but alone Pakistan has defeated all the terrorists backed by India and other enemies of humanity....
Unfortunately, in today's capitalistic world we all are forced to live in, might is always right.
No Official thanks from Pakistan yet, as it does not suit the carefully built domestic narrative
Lets hope and pray for complete peace in Afghanistan.