Al- Qaeda has once again occupied a few quarters of Tora Bora mountains in Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden escaped from the closing net of U.S. forces from here ever since the war on terror began in 2001.
Tora Bora complex of deep caves stands on an infiltration route from the Spin Ghar mountains between Nangahar province and Pakistan’s lawless Tribal Areas, which is said to be the hiding home for Bin Laden.
The western officials confirming the reoccupation of the front by the insurgents believe that Amin ul-Haq, a close associate of Osama may be the leader of the group and Maulvi Anwar ul-Haq Mujahed, son of Younis Khalis, one of the renowned Islamist leaders in the Afghan jihad during the Soviet era, might be the commander.
It is estimated that forces, including Arab, Chechen and Pakistani fighters, numbering around 200 to 250 occupied the area three weeks ago. Once the insurgents take complete control of Tora Bora Front, they would have direct access to Uruzgan, Helmand and Kandahar.
And a striking proof of the insurgents reuniting is the assassination attempt on Governor Zalmai’s life two weeks ago in Khogiani district, a dusty plain poppy producing area, dominated by the imposing rampart of peaks that make up the border with Pakistan. And Sunday’s bus attack in Kabul that left many dead was a step forward by the insurgents who are now taking to militant tactics.
Also, the Taliban militants have started propagating and warning the Afghan villagers at night for dire repercussions if they sided with the Government and the U.S. led NATO forces.
Al-Qaeda has been cutting back its influence in Pakistan’s tribal belt ever since the a peace deal between the Pakistani government and Taliban militants in South Waziristan was signed in September 2006. For a long time, the area acted like a heartland of support for the militant group, where they used religion as their weapon to draw locals to them. The area also acted as a supply point as the militants from across the border in Pakistan easily sneaked into Afghanistan.
After confirming that Tora Bora is again active, NATO forces are assessing whether to shift its Theatre Reserve made up of troops from the US 82nd Airborne division, from Helmand and Kandahar provinces to areas along the eastern border.
Tora Bora was always a stronghold for the Al-Qaeda and regrouping of Taliban militants is a danger sign for the security of Afghanistan, which has been witnessing turmoil and bloodshed for ages.
Via: Telegraph
