The ambush by a well armed group of Afghan insurgents who infiltrated into Pakistani territory and shot dead six soldiers patrolling an area in Upper Dir makes very obvious the dangers on the western border. Though our troops were caught unawares, they stood their ground and fired back at the miscreants killing 11 of them.

While accusing Pakistan every other day for not doing enough, the US and Afghan governments have done little to dismantle the sanctuaries in Afghanistan from where these deadly attacks originate. The insurgents have stepped up the attacks mainly because of their firm position inside Afghanistan which enables them to be so bold as to launch such coordinated attacks. The US-led Nato forces should understand that Pakistan military is already stretched thin across these areas trying to contain militancy. The border region in Afghanistan, which has, it seems, become a whirlpool of militancy is supposed to be watched by the US troops also. Their inaction even though they possess advanced surveillance equipment is questionable. Taking a logical view it appears that the Afghan Taliban who are committed to ousting the US from their country are now attacking the Pakistan army that helped them in the past.