Rabbani's killing, a cause of concern to all

Rabbani's killing, a cause of concern to all

- Anil Narendra

It is a big blow to US peace efforts in Afghanistan. The former Afghan President, Burhanuddin Rabbani has been killed in a suicide bomb attack. The attacker had kept explosive concealed in his turban. Four security personnel were also killed in this attack. The killing of Rabbani (71) is a big blow to the peace process in the strife-torn Afghanistan. Following his killing, President Hamid Karzai decided to cut short his US tour and return home. According to the Kabul Police, the attacker had been invited to the Kabul residence of Rabbani on Tuesday evening as he was considered to be a special envoy bringing some special message from Taliban. While embracing Rabbani, the attacker triggered the explosive, kept in his turban.

The gravity of the challenge posed by Taliban after the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces from Afghanistan can be easily gauged from the killing of Rabbani. Rabbani was living in a high security zone area, close to the US Embassy. The Hamid Karzai government had appointed Rabbani as the Chief of its high-level Peace Council and he was continuing on this post for last one year. But now, with his killing, the possibilities of negotiations have weakened. A few months ago, Taliban had executed a plan to kill the half brother of the President Karzai, Wali Karzai,  who was also killed deceitfully by one of his colleagues in the same manner as Rabbani was killed this time. Then, the Taliban gunan had killed the former Governor Jan Mohammed Khan. Taliban have been attacking the Karzai government since its establishment with the help of US and Western Countries. Killings one after the others have made it clear that Taliban are not in favour of negotiations. Long back, Taliban were created in the Pak Madrassas and even today a number of Taliban groups are under the influence of Pakistan Army and its intelligence agency ISI. In case of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, Pakistan could get the much-talked strategic depth, in case of a war with India. That is why Pakistan does not want an India-friendly government in Afghanistan. Rabbani was considered to be a friend of India. Taliban would never like a person, who is friendly to America, India and Western Countries.

It is natural for India to be concerned over the killing of Rabbani and also over the instability in the neighbouring country. New Delhi is more concerned over the efforts to dispose off leaders in Afghanistan, who are trying hard for peace and confidence building measures. Dr. Manmohan Singh has called this incident as a big blow and has assured the people of Afghanistan of India's full support in this hour of crisis. In a letter to Karzai, the Prime Minister has said that the best way to remember Rabbani would be to carry forward the work left unfinished by him. The killing of Rabbani has added to the anxiety of US and NATO forces also. Condoling the death of Rabbani, the US President said that the peace process in Afghanistan would continue. The suicide bomber, killing the former Afghan President Rabbani has been identified as Ismatullah and for quite some time he was waiting for an opportunity to kill Rabbani. One thing is clear from this Taliban suicide attack that US and NATO alliance would have to talk directly to Taliban if they want to withdraw from Afghanistan, but the problem is that there are so many groups among the Taliban. It would be very difficult to decide as whom to talk with and through whom? Then, there is ISI also. It has its own interests. It would favour such a government in Afghanistan that will toe Pakistan's line. The path for Obama is strewn with thorns and US is in tight corner. It has to decide between the devil and the deep sea.