BBC News, June 13, 2010
Pakistan’s ISI intelligence agency “supports” Taliban
Some of those interviewed suggested that the ISI even attends meetings of the Taliban's supreme council
By Quentin Sommerville
A new report claims to provide the most concrete evidence yet of direct links between Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The report says the ISI is providing funding, training and sanctuary to the Taliban on a scale much larger than previously thought.
The document was prepared by the London School of Economics (LSE).
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Quoting western intelligence officers, the report said Taliban leaders are being moved to the volatile city of Karachi, where it would be impossible to strike. It said US officials have even discussed sending commandos to Quetta to capture or kill the Taliban leaders before they are moved.
A spokesman for Pakistan's military rejected the claims as part of a malicious campaign against the country.
'Rubbish'
The report's author spoke to nine Taliban field commanders in Afghanistan earlier this year.
He concludes that Pakistan's relationship with the insurgents runs far deeper than previously realised.
Some of those interviewed suggested that the ISI even attends meetings of the Taliban's supreme council. They claim that by backing the insurgents Pakistan's security service is trying to undermine Indian influence in Afghanistan.
The report concludes that without a significant change in approach by Pakistan, both the Afghan government and international community will find it impossible to end the insurgency in Afghanistan.
The spokesman for Pakistan's military said the claims were "rubbish" and part of a malicious campaign against the country's military and security agencies.
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