Deadly Attack on US Troops Prompts Rare Condemnation by Pakistan's Army Chief

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Deadly Attack on US Troops Prompts Rare Condemnation by Pakistan's Army Chief
By: Ayaz Gul - Asia - VOAnews - 8-3-17
RE: https://www.voanews.com/a/deadly-att...f/3971205.html

(Photo on site only: U.S. troops assess the damage to an armored vehicle of a NATO-led military coalition after a suicide bomber's attack in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Aug. 2, 2017.)

ISLAMABAD —
In a rare move, Pakistan’s military chief Thursday condemned as terrorism a Taliban attack in neighboring Afghanistan in which two U.S. troops were killed and four others wounded.

The denunciation by General Qamar Javed Bajwa came on a day when the U.S. special envoy for the region, Alice Wells, began a two-day official visit to Islamabad to discuss ways to end the armed Afghan conflict, among other issues.

“We fully understand the loss and pain of victims' families as Pakistan is undergoing a similar trail of blood in the fight against a common threat of terrorism,” a Pakistani army statement quoted Bajwa as saying.

The general offered “heartfelt” condolences on the death of the two U.S. soldiers.

The Islamist Taliban swiftly took credit for Wednesday's attack in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, saying one of its suicide bombers drove his explosives-packed car into the convoy.

A Taliban spokesman says 15 soldiers belonging to “foreign occupation forces,” including two “high-ranking” officers, were killed. The insurgent group refers to the U.S.-led NATO military mission in Afghanistan as occupation forces.

The Taliban routinely exaggerates casualty figures when making such claims.

U.S. and Afghan officials have long alleged the Pakistani military covertly supports and shelters Taliban leaders and members of the Haqqani network plotting deadly attacks against local and international forces in the country.

Islamabad rejects the charges and maintains it is making all possible efforts to secure the largely porous border with Afghanistan and promote peace and reconciliation among the warring Afghan sides.

Alleged insurgent sanctuaries on Pakistani soil are a major irritant in Islamabad’s relations with Washington.

The visiting U.S. delegation headed by Wells met with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, during which the Pakistani side shared its perspectives on challenges confronting the region, including the security situation in Afghanistan, an official announcement said Thursday.

“The foreign secretary hoped that the ongoing U.S. review [of Afghan policy] would result in a comprehensive political strategy to promote reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan and the region,” the statement added.

The U.S. envoy acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, it added.

“Ambassador Wells agreed on the importance of a strong partnership between the United States and Pakistan and gave the U.S.’ perspective on how to move forward this relationship in the coming years,” according to the Foreign Ministry statement.

Local media reported the American delegation is also expected to meet General Bajwa on Friday.

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John McCain backs Afghanistan commander amid reports Trump wants him gone
by Travis J. Tritten | Aug 3, 2017, 12:48 PM
RE: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/jo...rticle/2630529

Sen. John McCain said Thursday he has full confidence in Gen. John "Mick" Nicholson, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, in the wake of reports that President Trump may fire the general.

The U.S. failure in the Afghanistan campaign is due to years of White House policies that have continued under Trump, and is not due to military leaders, said McCain, who is in Arizona for brain cancer treatment.

"Gen. John Nicholson has served our country with honor and distinction for 35 years. He has earned the trust and admiration of those he has served with. And he has earned my full confidence," the Arizona Republican and chairman of the Armed Services Committee said in a statement.

Trump lashed out at Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and other military leaders and considered firing Nicholson during a tense July meeting aimed at producing a new strategy in Afghanistan, according to exclusive reporting by NBC News.

The president left the meeting without deciding on a new strategy, the network reported.

"I urge the president to resolve the differences within his administration as soon as possible and decide on a policy and strategy that can achieve our national security interests in Afghanistan and the region," McCain said.

This year, Nicholson testified to Congress that a few thousand troops are needed to stabilize the country amid a resurgent Taliban and emergence of the Islamic State.

Mattis, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford and Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, Trump's national security adviser, have been working for months to write a new strategy that could include 3,000-4,000 additional troops, though the president has reportedly been dissatisfied with his options for the war-torn country, where two previous administrations have struggled to achieve security.

McCain repeated his threat to put his own Afghanistan security plan into the annual defense policy bill when he and the Senate return to Washington in September for the fall session.