Pakistan harbouring agents of chaos: Nicholson

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): In an effort of turn the corner on the 16-year war against the Taliban says.

Gen. John Nicholson told Pentagon reporters the US soldiers would accompany Afghan units at the battalion level in 2018, placing them closer to the front lines.

In recent years, most American soldiers have advised their Afghan partners primarily at the brigade and corps levels from the relative safety of forward operating bases.

“Yes, there will be greater risk, absolutely,” the commander was quoted as saying by US media outlets. he indicated 1,000 US troops would be conducting patrols and missions with Afghan forces in the spring fighting season.

While hailing President Trump’s new policy for South Asia, he acknowledged: “Any time a US soldier, sailor, Marine or airman sets foot on the battlefield, there is always a whole array of support behind them.”

In line with Trump’s strategy unveiled in August, the move is intended to defeat the Taliban and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan and lend stability to the region.

The new strategy was “a game changer”, Nicholson said, adding the adjustments were already making a difference. “That’s why I express confidence that we are on our way to a win.”

There was no change in Pakistan, despite Trump adopting a tougher line against Islamabad, the general said.

Pakistan was still harbouring “agents of chaos” and providing safe havens to militant groups waging the insurgency against the Afghan government, he alleged.

Senior Taliban leaders were based in Pakistan, while the lower level leadership was in Afghanistan, Nicholson believed, hoping Islamabad would correct its behaviour.

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