Jawayria Malik
On 26 Nov 2011,US led NATO forces attacked on Pakistan-Afghan border on two military check posts and killed at least 24 Pakistan military personnel indiscriminately and injured 24. Salala Attack is the most somber and bleak incident in recent history of Pakistan when Pakistan Army came under vibrant assault by any external force believingly an ally and major partner since independence. Since every action has a reaction, thus, Salala attack was also not without consequences. Blocking of NATO supply routes, Boycott of Bonn Conference Afghanistan, evacuation of Shamsi Base from NATO forces, Pakistan’s demand of apology, intransigence of US officials, US threats to block Pakistan’s aid, re-opening of NATO supply routes, proposed conclusion of Afghan War; were some of the major developments affiliated to this issue. Not just that, it give rise to an air of mistrust, deceit and infidelity between Pakistan and US. The cordiality turned into coldness between Islamabad and Washington when the process of perpetual wrangling started after this incident. The tale of Pakistan-US friendship took a sharp turn and led towards a perplexed and obnoxious predicament.
It goes without saying that Salala incident had a catastrophic effect on Pakistan-U.S. relations and the public in Pakistan showed sheer anger. As the incident came a day after the then COAS General Ashfaq Kayani met with the Commander of Coalition Forces in Afghanistan, General Allen Jones to discuss measures of enhancing border control on both sides. While Pakistan was playing a constructive role in her peace efforts, Pakistani posts were attacked indiscriminately. It was undoubtedly an effort to undermine Pakistan’s peace initiatives with mala fide intentions and US had no justification of conducting such strikes inside Pakistan’s territory. Because Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter also clearly states that all member countries shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Amid provisions of UN Charter, what made US-led NATO abandon the understandings reached in the “Mutually Agreed Mechanisms for Operations Close to Borders” still meddle the objective minds. After all, how come operations were conducted close to Pakistani borders without any prior information to the Pakistani side? This question becomes all the more important since these posts were established to prevent the entry of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants into Pakistan from the Afghan side and NATO / ISAF never conducted any supporting operations in this particular area. If attacks were not intentional then how come NATO / ISAF suffered no causalities amid massive air retaliation. How could intermittent fire by gunship helicopters and support by airplanes continue for more than an hour when the Pakistani side was communicating to NATO in Kabul and to military liaison officers based in Islamabad? Ironically, these mind-boggling questions tells a cruel tale of US’ betrayal. Most of the Pakistanis are also convinced that the attack was a deliberate act and the US military was sending a signal to Pakistan military for its perceived sin of not doing enough against the Taliban, many US and interestingly Indian commentators were enthusiastically supporting the same contention though with different emotions. They argued that NATO had to do this to teach the “double-crossing Pakistanis” a much-needed lesson; and that more of the same is needed.
Recapitulating the whole discussion, it can be said that the Salala incident is a very important issue in the foreign relations of Pakistan and the US. The relationship among both the countries derailed after the incident albeit after seeing the pros and cons a confluence was brought. Yet a colossal blow to the affairs of both countries had been made and the true intentions and mind set of each other had been exposed due to this incident. Taking into consideration the sour relationship between the two countries that still exists, not to forget Trump’s hawkish approach towards Islamabad, it seems prudent that a future course of action be envisaged to avert any such incidence to recurred in future.
