Voicing concern, over the resurgence of remnants of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Russia has charged Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of openly helping the militia in regrouping. ‘‘India and Russia are well-informed that Taliban forces are regrouping and are utilizing the tribal areas of Pakistan and different pockets of Afghan territory,’’ Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov said here. ‘‘The activities of the US-led coalition forces are concentrated in these areas as it’s absolutely clear that these areas can shelter the remnants of the Taliban,’’ Trubnikov said. He said today these remnants, utilizing a sufficient period of time for regrouping, are very confidently reasserting themselves in their attacks on international security forces, on representatives of non-governmental organisations and government troops. ‘‘These attacks are occurring frequently which is proof that Taliban is not yet liquidated,’’ he stressed, adding they also feel happy at the fact that different elements of the provisional Afghan administration now discuss about the ‘‘existence of moderate Taliban’’ which could be included in the Afghan government. Referring to the Russian influence on Pakistan, to control the situation, Trubnikov said: ‘‘During our contact with Pakistanis and meetings within the Russia-US joint working groups, we have insisted that Pakistani leadership consistently follow the line of pressurising the Taliban elements, and the ISI, which is overtly assisting the process of reorganisation of the Taliban’’. ‘‘We will continue to not only convince, but try to influence the Pakistani side to fulfil its obligations as a member of the anti-terrorist coalition,’’ he said. Answering a question as to whether Pakistan can use Afghanistan against India, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said: ‘‘Undoubtedly, there exist forces in Pakistan, who want to use Afghan space as a platform against India, but keeping in mind its long, old ties with Afghanistan, including trade, economic and political relations, today Pakistan can hardly use Afghanistan against India’’. Touching on the possibility of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists in Pakistan, Trubnikov said: ‘‘The threat of falling of nuclear weapons into the hands of terrorists, is not theoretical, keeping in mind that on the Pakistani territory, very powerful extremist groups are active. Such a danger does exist’’. Stressing that not only nuclear arms but other types of weapons of mass destruction may be used by terrorists, he urged the international community to wage a struggle against it, in a wider context, within the framework of UN Security Council’s Committee on Counter-terrorism.
