Author: Saibal Dasgupta
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 14, 2011
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-14/china/29886352_1_xinjiang-kashgar-commando-unit
Within days of pointing the finger at Pakistan
as the source of strength for terrorists in its Xinjiang province, China on
Saturday sent an elite military commando unit to the region bordering its
western neighbour.
A worried Pakistan reacted by dangling the
carrot of playing the role of a "conduit for China to reach out to the
Muslim world". The move suggests a possible crackdown by the military,
which may be gradually losing confidence over the ability of Xinjiang's local
forces to tackle well-trained terrorists flowing in from across the border
in Pakistan. The People's Liberation Army's Snow Leopard Commando unit is
expected to carry out "anti-terrorist missions" in Kashgar and Hotan
area, which were hit by deadly violence in recent weeks.
The elite force will focus on riot control,
bomb disposal and be prepared to react to any possible hijacking attempts
by the separatists, the official media said. The government is trying to ensure
security at a forthcoming trade conference in the region, which saw killing
of 30 people in July.
Pakistan appeared shaken since experts in
government run think-tank came out openly saying Pakistan is the source of
training and support to the terrorists seeking separation of Xinjiang from
China to form an independent nation. The statement has caused serious harm
to its public image as an "all-weather friend" of China.
"We will help China build a bridge to
the Middle East and West Europe. We are also a conduit for China to reach
out to the Muslim world," Pakistani ambassador Masood Khan was quoted
in the Chinese media as saying.
