Pakistan has unveiled a new plan to step up monitoring along its border with Afghanistan in a bid to block what it calls the supply routes of militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
According to a Monday report in Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, officials said the new measures aim to sever all logistical support to “terrorists” from across the border.
Authorities said stricter surveillance will particularly target infiltration in Khyber and Bajaur, disrupting the flow of weapons, money and fresh recruits to militant groups, especially Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
They stressed that the strategy will only be effective if militants are prevented from entering Pakistan through insecure border crossings.
Officials believe the period from September to February is the most opportune time to curb infiltration, as militant groups typically return to their sanctuaries in Afghanistan during winter or seek “safe havens” in border areas to regroup and resupply.
The officials added that the new strategy would allow security forces to conduct intelligence-driven operations with minimal civilian casualties and less public opposition.
