NATO attack in Pakistan’s Bajaur district kills 14; Pak Army launches a formal complaint; Indian national kidnapped on April 21 freed; Pentagon planning a huge military base in Kabul
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    • A NATO attack in Pakistan’s border region of Damadola, Bajaur district killed 14 people on May 141. The Pakistan Army on its part launched a formal complaint against the NATO action carried out on its territory. The missile attack came hours after militants and the Pakistani government agreed for an exchange of prisoners with security personnel ahead of a formal peace deal in South Waziristan. As part of the deal, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin, kidnapped three months ago, was also released on May 162.

    Meanwhile, an Indian national Sarang Mohammed Naeem, and K.B. Gurung of Nepal were released on May 17. Both of them working for a Dubai-based logistics firm were kidnapped on April 21 while traveling from Herat. Reports noted that the Taliban militia was behind most attacks on Indian nationals working on the crucial Zaranj-Delaram road link. The road would reduce Afghanistan's dependence on Pakistan for overland access to Central Asia as well as provide an alternative route for Indian goods. The latest kidnapping however was not blamed on the Taliban but on a 'criminal gang'3.

    In other developments, a suicide bomber attacked a convoy of police vehicles in south-western Afghanistan’s Frah province on May 14 killing 16 people while another suicide attack on a police patrol in Musa Qula in the southern province of Helmand on May 18 killed 4 people. The Taliban on their part claimed responsibility for shooting at a NATO helicopter in Musa Qula during the week. No casualties were however reported due to the attack. The town was captured from the Taliban in December 20074.

    Reports during the week also indicated that the US was planning to construct a huge new prison complex spread over 40 acres at the Bagram military base north of Kabul, to accommodate about 600-1000 prisoners. The Pentagon's plan, analysts believe was proof that the US intended to make its overseas detention facilities permanent5.

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