DAR AL HARB-PAKISTAN: MINING THE DURAND LINE

Pakistan decision on Durand Line impracticable: Experts Afghan landmines won`t deter militants

KABUL: Afghan experts considered Pakistan`s decision on fencing and mining the Durand Line impracticable, however some of the analysts termed this plan a result of weak policies by the Afghan government.

Pakistan`s foreign office Tuesday said its forces would locate the points of infiltration and would then plant landmines or bar on the joint border.

Karim Rahimi, presidential spokesman, rejected the plan by Pakistani official as usual. In an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, he said: "We are against any obstruction on Durand Line."

To a question, Rahimi responded: "Pakistan should eliminate training centres, terrorist camps and hideouts instead of fencing or mining the border." Rahimi said Afghanistan wanted that Pakistan should take practical steps for prevention of cross-border movement.

When asked that Pakistan has deployed 80,000 forces on the joint border and also bombarded a terrorist centre in Bajaur agency, are they not practical steps? Rahimi said: "Only effectiveness of the practical steps should be counted."

Pakistan foreign office secretary Riaz Ahmad Khan said they did not need to take up the issue of fencing with Afghanistan. Besides, Rahimi, some other Afghan analysts also termed Pakistan decision useless.

Political analyst Wahid Muzda said according to international principles any decision regarding joint border must be based on consultation of both parties. He said if disputers could not reach any conclusion, a mediator should be involved to resolve the dispute.

He said Pak-Afghan border was passing through lofty mountains, forests and hard-hitting areas, and might not be controlled through these fencing or mining. According to some experts, Pakistan wants to show the world community that it has an organised programme to eliminate terrorists and Afghanistan does not go beyond talks. He said Afghanistan policy was failed in attracting support of the international community, instead Pakistan had proved itself an ally of the west and the west was dependent on Pakistan.

Presidents of both the countries were involved in verbal war recently. Some experts said use of words charged with emotion was another reason of deteriorating ties in between the two countries and was a factor of increasing tension. Parto Nadri, a political analyst, also dubbed consultation of the disputers vital for resolving issue relating with joint border.

He said if Pakistan had got approval by the international community for fencing and mining the Durand Line, then Afghanistan reaction had no value. He said: "If Pakistan is taking this step on their own, then Afghanistan objection may pressurize Pakistan." Afghanistan and Pakistan have a joint border of 2400 kilometres. Nadri said Afghanistan had no match in military with Pakistan, but suggested that government should forward the issue to the United Nations.

Moreover, Experience in Afghanistan and many other countries has shown that using landmines to restrict movement of people is counter-productive (Pakistan army told to plan fence and mines along Afghan border, December 21).

According to Guardian on Friday, the Pakistani army would need to tie down thousands of troops just to guard the minefields 24 hours a day. Without this measure there are several possible consequences. Local people might remove mines to create "safe passages" and make money by guiding people who want to cross illegally.

This has happened in Peru, Cambodia, Bosnia and elsewhere. Others may simply remove the mines and sell them on local weapons markets: a risky but potentially profitable business. This has affected the Afghan tribal areas before, when the mines have been used in property disputes. More likely, militants will steal the mines and lay them elsewhere to harass or deter regular army patrols. Vietnam veterans in the US and Australia have bitter memories of this.
In the end, there will be the exorbitant cost of removing the mines, which will have been moved by flash floods, or buried by erosion or wind-blown sand.

There will be many unintended casualties in the process. With minimal metal content, Pakistani landmines are among the most difficult to locate in the world. However, the ultimate argument against this venture comes from experience much closer to home. Upwards of half a million troops deployed on both sides of the much shorter line of control dividing Kashmir have been unable to control the movement of determined militants.


Pertinent Links:

1) Pakistan decision on Durand Line impracticable: Experts Afghan landmines won`t deter militants