Sunday, December 16, 2007
WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (APP): The United States is working with Pakistan to help it ensure security along its Afghan border, a top Pentagon official said, while acknowledging the South Asian ally’s key role in the fight against terrorism over the years.
Maj. Gen. Richard Sherlock, Director for Operational Planning at Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon briefing that the US is working with both Pakistan and international- and Afghan forces on the Afghan side to enforce security on the border.
He cited Pakistan’s success in capturing a number of high-profile al-Qaeda operatives and noted the sacrifices its forces have made in combating terror.
“What we’re trying to do is enable the Pakistani security forces—who, oh by the way, have performed over a five-year period now a number of operations against extremists inside of Pakistan.
“They’ve lost over 1,000 Pakistani soldiers over the last five years in operations inside of Pakistan against extremists. And they’ve also captured a number of very high-profile al Qaeda leadership inside of Pakistan,” he stated.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised Pakistan as one of the most steadfast allies at a Congressional hearing earlier this week, saying the country has been immensely helpful in the war on terror.
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