The “Reverse” trap
The situation in Afghanistan is going from bad to worse. Instead of reaping the rewards of a decade plus of struggle and sacrifice, Afghans are choked with the bile of a bitter victory over communism, their hopes of an Islamic way of life destroyed by endless conflict between former allies. Instead, Communism’s agents are showing signs of being alive and well, this time in a Russian garb without the socialist ideology, as surrogates for their master’s so-called “near abroad”. For all its troubles (and festering wounds), Pakistan is repeatedly getting a kick in the teeth from friend and foe alike, or should we say former friends and implacable foes? We are caught in the vice of a classic “Heads I lose, tails you win” situation (with apologies to the original phrase).
Throughout the Afghan war, Rashid Dostum kept his mercenary forces composed of the Jumbish Milli fighting on the side of the Soviet forces. Once it was clear that Soviet forces would withdraw, he turned against communist strongman Najibullah and allied himself with former arch-enemy Ahmed Shah Masood, thus affording the Jamaat-e-Islami the opportunity to take control over Kabul in preference to Gulbuddin Hikmatyar and the other Mujahideen faction. Since dominance over Kabul bears the stamp of Afghan State’s authority if not the actual power, this was a significant shift in allegiances at a crucial time in recent Afghan history. A few months ago Dostum again changed sides, going across the divide in allying himself with another implacable foe, Hikmatyar, whose dislike for the Rabbani/Ahmed Shah Masood combine seems to be deep enough for him to swallow his Islamic qualms and embrace former communist Dostum in an “unholy” embrace. Since Dostum happens to have the bulk of the Afghan Air Force based in Mazar-i-Sharif and Shaberghan, the cities of Kabul and Herat are being bombed at will, civilian and military material and human beings are targeted without distinction. While the subject of the present fracas would occupy much more than a column, we propose to confine ourselves to bringing into focus the evil designs of Russian (and allied) vested interest to turn their historic defeat at the hands of the Mujahideen into victory.
As a part of the conspiracy Lt Gen Abdul Malik, Director Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Jumbish Milli, has charged in a recent statement issued at Mazar-i-Sharif, that an Indian team consisting of 15 Airforce officers and technicians have been working at Bagram Air Base near Kabul for the repairs and maintenance of MIG-21 and SU-22 aircraft. To quote PPI/APP, he said that an unspecified number of Indian Army officers were also present in Kabul for training “Shoora Nazar” troops on different artillery pieces and their employment against rival Mujahideen groups. Malik “revealed” that Indian aircraft had been coming to Kabul with UN emblem and bringing fuel and other essential spare parts for use by Afghan government troops. He said that Afghan aircraft had also been making trips to India for conveyance of personnel and procurement of essential supplies. He accused the Afghan government that they would have step down to pave the way for a new elected government if it had not been for Indian help. Malik also charged that Indian intelligence agencies along with Khad were instrumental in prolonging the war in Afghanistan as India perceives that peace in Afghanistan would not be in her strategic interest. Malik charged that India was hell-bent to ensure the continuation of fighting in Afghanistan and against any pro-Pakistan group coming to power. He reiterated that India would fail in her nefarious designs and Afghanistan would stand shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan against any aggression”, unquote. For starters, it is a shock to know that Malik has become a born-again believer in Pakistan. If the intent of his incredible statement, if not the implied facts, had not been so deadly, one would laugh at it.
While Malik’s charges about Indian designs are correct, the news about a Rabbani-Delhi axis seems to be a pure fabrication as a part of a planned disinformation campaign designed to further aggravate the onset of bad relations between the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan. To add to the existing complexity, a Foreign Office spokesman on Wednesday last said that if the reports of Indian military interference in Afghanistan were established this would be a “serious matter” contributing to “destabilisation” in that country. Briefing newsmen, the spokesman said that the veracity of these reports was being checked and if the same were true it “would represent a violation of Indian obligations under the UN Charter”.
While the aforementioned is a careful response, our Foreign Office either does not seems to be aware of the true credentials of Malik or seems to be deliberately ignoring it. Uzbek Malik is the right hand man of Rashid Dostum, head of Jumbish Milli and a step brother of Rasul Pehalwan, the war-lord of Faryab Province, adjacent to Turkmenistan. He resides mostly in Terwez in Uzbekistan where he has two houses, one of them still guarded by the Russian KGB. Malik was trained by KGB in the initial days of Afghan Jehad and since then has been working for them. On behalf of Dostum he also maintains close contacts with Indian Intelligence, visiting India a number of times. KGB has a permanent presence in Terwez from where they plan, direct and control all operations of Rashid Dostum. Earlier continuous logistics support was also provided to Dostum through Terwez but Islam Karimov, President of Uzbekistan, who does not see eye to eye with Dostum, put a stop to this when Rabbani’s Government complained to Uzbekistan about providing military assistance to Dostum. An alternative logistics route was opened by the Russians through Turkmenistan, supplies which were previously routed to Mazar-e-Sharif are now being sent to Sheberghan airfield.
It is a well-known fact in Afghanistan that throughout the period of Jehad the Government of India sympathized and supported the anti-Jehad forces in Afghanistan. The Afghans, therefore, have a deep hatred for India. However, there are many elements such as Rashid Dostum, pro-Zahir Shah supporters or so-called liberal western-educated and pro-West Afghans who continue to have close contacts with India. In the face of such a history, it seems strange that Rabbani’s Government which is presently the only establishment in power representing Jehadi forces would seek assistance from India without good reason. However, if events continue to push the present Afghan Government down this line, it could become a distinct possibility on the basis of Chanakhya’s “an enemy of an enemy is a friend”. On the other hand, given his record of changing allies, Pakistan should not have anything to do with Rashid Dostum. His inter-action with Pakistan is motivated purely out of self-interest and is spoiling Pak-Afghan relations. As it is Rabbani’s Government does not take kindly to the fact that Pakistan continues to provide landing facilities to Dostum’s aircraft at Peshawar airfield and has also allowed him to maintain a permanent office in the city.
The news regarding India providing military support to President Burhanuddin Rabbani could very well be true but in the absence of hard evidence (which is not difficult to obtain), this seems to have been inspired by KGB which has a direct role in such affairs as Malik takes all his directions from Moscow. The rumour is meant to spoil Pak-Afghan relations further. The timing is also very pertinent as it was released at a time when our Foreign Minister, Sardar Assef Ali, was due in Moscow and our relations with Afghan Government were fast deteriorating. The aim appeared to be (1) deny the Government of Pakistan’s support to Rabbani at a time when he needs it most urgently (2) deliver a crippling blow to the relationship of the two countries (3) broaden the parameters of the conflict (4) create a wrong impression that the elements in Afghanistan who are actually hostile to Pakistan are more loyal to it (5) maintaining Russian visibility in a clandestine fashion in Afghanistan and (6) weakening Rabbani government and as such Jehadi forces in Afghanistan.
Rashid Dostum’s only ideology is that of a mercenary. When it was clear that Soviet force would pull out of Afghanistan, they gave him early warning so that he could change sides and remain a player in the game. His shifting of loyalties at the right time has been extremely profitable to him (and his masters) as they prevented the other Pakistani-based Mujahideen groups from coming into the power mainstream. On the other hand, Dostum thus gained for himself (and his Russian masters) continued access to the corridors of authority in Kabul. As Rabbani consolidated power, he became more aware of Dostum’s deadly long-term designs to perpetuate surrogate Russian influence. Before he could be brought to task, Dostum changed side to arch-enemy Hikmatyar, thus continuing with the anarchy and destruction of Afghanistan, keeping the elusive peace from happening. Dostum has now successfully changed sides three times and will do so again if it suits him. In the meantime, he has cleverly exploited Pakistan’s aversion to Indian involvement. By feeding on Pakistan’s fears he is trying to shift suspicions of his involvement with Indians away from himself while creating a lasting problem between the various Mujahideen factions and Pakistan. In fact, it is Dostum who has close ties with India and who is using this canard to cause a deep psychological rift between the allies of yesteryear. Pakistan would do well not to fall into this KGB and RAW-created “reverse” trap. This can only be done by employing Pakistani field veterans of the Afghan war, they are the only ones left with any credibility with the Afghan leaders. We must bring them out of the cold in the greater interest of this country.
While Pakistan must exercise maturity in a measured approach, one hopes that Rabbani’s Government will also embark upon confidence building measures to improve relations with Pakistan. After all, for whatever reason, Dostum survived initially because Ahmad Shah Masood accepted his help in keeping Hikmatyar out of Kabul. Instead of fighting each other, both Rabbani and Hikmatyar must accept that Dostum is the bigger enemy. It is in the supreme interest of all the people in this region that the Afghan strife comes to a halt. This can only happen, when Rabbani and Hikmatyar force themselves away from Dostum’s clutches.
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