Daily Times

In an increasing globalised world, secret agencies have become an evermore-important weapon of the state. The impact of globalisation on intelligence cooperation between Pakistan, India and Afghanistan in the war against terrorism is rendered problematic by divergent conceptions of its nature and contradictory expectations. The recent developments in information technology as well as a new wave of terrorism in South Asia are the main factors impelling regional states to increase intelligence cooperation on law enforcement level. In fact, intelligence sharing and interoperability of information system has been the biggest challenges facing Pakistan, India and Afghanistan due to their reservations on sharing national secrets. A contemporary theory on the concept of information age spotlights some challenges in the information sharing process.

The function of intelligence is to have a structure to process and analyse information and purvey that to policy makers. In South Asia, intelligence function is divided on ethnic and linguistic bases, which create misunderstandings and lead policy makers in wrong directions. The involvement of Pakistani, Indian and Afghan and intelligence agencies in the ongoing proxy war prompted the emergence of several ethno-terrorist organisations that pose serious challenges to the national security of the three states. To counter these violent groups, multilateral intelligence cooperation can be a new light while this way of cooperation gives nations courage to tackle their national security challenges.

The emergence of ISIS and Taliban and their suicide attacks against military and civilian installations forced Pakistan and Afghanistan to consider and develop a new working relationship, but unfortunately, the changing foreign policy approach of the Afghan Unity government diminished all efforts.

The recent violent noise of the Afghan and Indian leaders about terrorist infiltration from Pakistan before and after the Uri attacks received no positive response in print and electronic media in South Asia, and that is due to their own sponsorship of various terrorist and extremist outfits. The three-headed hydra — RAW, RAMA, NDS — has now become out of control, and is biting every section of Afghan society, supporting insurgents, warlords, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and exporting terrorism across borders. India is basically operating in Afghanistan through RAW, IB, RAMA, NDS and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), but mostly, India has failed to assess internal adversaries in the country. It funds propaganda machines, which continue to ignite the fire of ethnicity and sectarianism in Afghanistan.

A major portion of funds India has allocated to intelligence operations is being spent on recruiting young soldiers for war in Balochistan. The Unity government’s intelligence agencies are following the same pattern. However, if we look at the performance and deficiencies of the Afghan Unity government, we will find some harsh realities. The irony is that the ANA commanders, members of parliament, police commanders and intelligence agencies purvey arms and ammunition to the Taliban and ISIS, and transport suicide bombers to their destination in their luxurious vehicles day and night.

Afghans are absolutely exhausted with the long term insecurity, unemployment and interference of foreign agencies in the internal affairs of their country. Politicians and parliamentarians, in their debates, recently raised the question of government support to ISIS and Taliban groups. Military and intellectual circles have also raised the question of Indian intelligence sponsorship of terrorism across the border. India gives huge funds to some ethnic groups and war criminals to turn Afghanistan into its formal or informal colony in order to control foreign and domestic policies of Afghanistan.

India does not stop here; allegedly, it has plans to use Afghanistan against China and Pakistan by establishing a commando force to disrupt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. This overt and covert war will not succeed. Interference of India in Afghanistan is too irksome for Pakistan, as it has often asked Afghanistan to restrain Indian intelligence from using its soil against Pakistan, and has also accused India of fuelling insurgency in Balochistan. Pakistani officials believe that Indian intelligence agencies are operating through a network of Indian diplomatic missions dotting the southern and eastern parts of Afghanistan where training camps of Baloch insurgents are located. India denies the accusations, saying it is only helping to stabilise Afghanistan.

The blame game further exacerbated when Balochistan’s police chief Mohammad Amlish criticised RAW and NDS for their terrorist activities in the province. The blame game between Pakistan, India and Afghanistan has created an atmosphere of distrust. Afghans insist that Islamabad is putting the onus of terrorism on their country.

The Unity government in Afghanistan is said to have lost confidence and legitimacy. Two months ago, more than 15,000 Afghan army soldiers and officers deserted due to non-payment of their three-month salaries from the defence ministry. In Aruzgan province, the same policy was repeated. Consequently, the police and military commanders sold more than 150 military check posts and weapons to the Taliban and received millions of dollars and gifts. Recently, the internal security and defence committees of the Afghan parliament summoned the NDS chief and interior minister to explain the causes of deteriorating security situation in the country.

No one is safe in the war-ravaged state; everyone is trying to leave the country. Businessmen are on the run, while women and children are being incarcerated by Taliban and Daesh forces who use them as a human shield against the ANA. Corruption is rampant and justice is expansive. Nepotism and warlordism is at an all-time high, while 70 percent of the state and government affairs are being run online as most of the ministers and officials live abroad or use Facebook to monitor the situation. Police and military commanders facilitate Taliban and Daesh fighters in attacks against the army and police convoys. On July 3, 2016, Tolonews reported the investigation of 10 important police commanders over the attack that targeted a convoy of police recruits in Kabul.

The writer is the author of Fixing the EU Intel Crisis, and can be reached at zai.musakhan222@gmail.com