Islamabad: US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan reportedly vacated eight check posts along the border with Pakistan ahead of the operation against the Taliban in the tribal belt though Islamabad on Monday said it had no knowledge of the development.
NATO troops abandoned the posts just before the launch of the major offensive against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in South Waziristan tribal region, The News daily quoted its sources as saying.
It said the move could allow Afghan Taliban to cross over into Pakistan and support militants in striking against Pakistani forces.
Four of the posts are along the border in South Waziristan and the rest are located near Nuristan, where American troops were recently attacked by militants.
However, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the Pakistan government had no information on NATO troops vacating borderposts in Afghanistan.
During a news briefing on the operation in South Waziristan, Kaira indicated that Pakistan’s offensive against the Taliban would not be affected even if the information about NATO forces vacating border ports was correct.
"There is no need for foreign help for the operation in South Waziristan," he said in response to a question.
Bureau Report
