EDITORIAL : THE OUTLOOK, AFGANISTAN

               

 

Suicide Bombers: Terrorist Groups’ Goods for Sale

The price of a suicide bomber, sold from one terrorist group to another, is $ 70 to 93 thousand. This fact was revealed in a statement issued recently by Afghan intelligence (National Directorate of Security – NDS). According to the statement, the NDS has arrested a suicide bomber from Jaji Maidan district of Paktia province who had on mind to target a tribal leader. The arrested bomber has said, "One of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders working under Hakimullah Mehsud, the TTP head sells one suicide bomber to other terrorist groups for $ 70 to 93 thousand." It has been said in the statement that Haqqani group sent the arrested terrorist but he did not belong to this group. It is not clear whether the terrorist has been sold to Haqqani group by TTP or not.

The business of suicide bombers should not be a new thing for terrorists themselves but for the world it is news. Previously, it was conceived that the terror groups are successful to recruit more people because they attract them based on a specific ideology. But that is only half of the fact. Actually poverty in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan compel people to get involved in crimes including terrorism. Because the militant leaders pay significant amount of remuneration to those who carry out terror attacks, more people are thinking to go on their side. The concept for a person suffering from poverty is, "If my death can alter the fate of my family, I am ready for the sacrifice." Even if half or lesser amount of the value of a terrorist's head goes to his family, it is a huge amount for them.

This is a terrible trend that has worse consequences for the world. The price of a suicide bomber set so high would motivate many others who are disappointed from life due to not having any employment.
The capability of terror groups to buy only one suicide bomber for such a high price indicates that there are certain countries that support them financially to continue operating.

Suicide Bombers: Terrorist Groups’ Goods for Sale

The price of a suicide bomber, sold from one terrorist group to another, is $ 70 to 93 thousand. This fact was revealed in a statement issued recently by Afghan intelligence (National Directorate of Security – NDS). According to the statement, the NDS has arrested a suicide bomber from Jaji Maidan district of Paktia province who had on mind to target a tribal leader. The arrested bomber has said, "One of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders working under Hakimullah Mehsud, the TTP head sells one suicide bomber to other terrorist groups for $ 70 to 93 thousand." It has been said in the statement that Haqqani group sent the arrested terrorist but he did not belong to this group. It is not clear whether the terrorist has been sold to Haqqani group by TTP or not.

The business of suicide bombers should not be a new thing for terrorists themselves but for the world it is news. Previously, it was conceived that the terror groups are successful to recruit more people because they attract them based on a specific ideology. But that is only half of the fact. Actually poverty in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan compel people to get involved in crimes including terrorism. Because the militant leaders pay significant amount of remuneration to those who carry out terror attacks, more people are thinking to go on their side. The concept for a person suffering from poverty is, "If my death can alter the fate of my family, I am ready for the sacrifice." Even if half or lesser amount of the value of a terrorist's head goes to his family, it is a huge amount for them.

This is a terrible trend that has worse consequences for the world. The price of a suicide bomber set so high would motivate many others who are disappointed from life due to not having any employment.
The capability of terror groups to buy only one suicide bomber for such a high price indicates that there are certain countries that support them financially to continue operating.

Concerns about Our Security Forces

According to reports, the US and coalition allies are reducing funding for increase in the number of Afghanistan security forces. This was discussed in a meeting last week in Kabul. Previously the US and allies had planned to increase 72,000 troops to Afghan security forces, but now the number has been reduced to 46,000 after cuts in funding by the US Congress. The number is 26,000 fewer than the planned figures.

In 2011, the US and allies are spending $11.6 billion for training and salaries of Afghan security forces, and next year it will increase to $12.8 billion, of which 92% will be provided by the US.
After the withdrawal of foreign troops, and cuts of funding by the US and allies, it is obvious that Afghanistan will not be able to maintain its security forces with its financial needs. One reason for the reduction of training new troops is the concerns about maintenance of the army and police with financial support. Currently there are 305,600 troops, and the number is expected to increase to 352,000 by next year.

Afghanistan's estimated GDP for next year is $18.3 billion, and it is predicted that we won't be capable to support our security forces until another decade. It's deeply concerning that the international community is reducing support to build and maintain our security forces. The concerns of European diplomats about eruption of civil war after NATO withdrawal will soon be a reality if the Afghan Government fails to provide salaries of the security forces. Neither Afghanistan can increase the gross domestic production nor, the international financial institutions can lend us any more. And it's all because of the deeds of the current Government and our leaders in power.

The international community is right to completely halt all financial support for Afghan security forces and withdraw their troops from this country, because our President call them "occupiers". We should not forget that after the Soviet withdrawal and civil war, Afghanistan security forces had been fragmented, but it was the current western allies led by the US who not only built a strong army, but also equipped and spent billions of dollars to support it. But our leaders instead of being thankful, has always been harshly, but without any sense, critical of these allies.

President Karzai must stop the irrational criticism of our western allies every other day. Calling them occupiers sounds like a Taliban spokesman, not head of a Afghan state.