Every so often we simply fail to realize that the terrorists pose as much of a threat to Pakistan as they do to the U.S. Unfortunately, we allow our differences to gain control and then seek refuge in the blame game. The reality is that these terrorists take full advantage of our differences. The question whether this is our war answers itself when you begin separating facts from fiction. Pakistan has lost thousands of innocent civilians and thousands of security personnel to the acts of terror. The truth is that the threat is still prevalent in the region, and we are suffering at the hands of the same terrorists.
Last month an Associated Press reporter and photographer were allowed to follow Pakistani soldiers on the Kalpani base near the Af/Pak border. These brave soldiers are protecting the frontlines under very harsh conditions. One of the soldiers said: “This is my country. I am a Pakistani. I don’t see that anyone who destroys our schools, our masjids (mosques), kills people, is good for my country; if they were working for a better Pakistan, we wouldn’t be sitting in this post. The people would be supporting them against us.” Another soldier said: “They are the enemy. They are not working for Pakistan. They are telling us that we have to do everything their way.”
We must ask ourselves if we are supporting our soldiers by taking the attention off the terrorists by regularly highlighting our differences. We should remind ourselves that those protecting the front lines hold no confusion in regards to who poses the threat to our nations. Therefore, the responsibility of holding the obvious miscreants to account also rests with us. We must bring justice to those killed and fully support our forces in eliminating the threat that continues to haunt the region.
Maj David Nevers
DET-United States Central Command
www.centcom.mil/ur
For their own good, I may add. In particular those who make these postings come across as such. While their efforts to communicate are appreciable, I’d have a hard time hitting the submit button if I were Maj David Nevers.
Having said that, I have seen them reply a few times, but it’s once every pink moon. For all we know, it probably isn’t Maj David Nevers, just one of his lower level associates doing the posting. And then skedaddling.