Pakistan stations troops on Afghan frontier

Pakistan has introduced a regular contingent in Momand, adjacent to the Kunar Province in Afghanistan's east.

A Pashtu-populated autonomy in Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province, Afghans to either side of the frontier know Momand under an unofficial name of Pashtunistan.

Local elders agreed to have army units reinforced by armoured vehicles and artillery in their land to monitor Taliban militants' and supporters' movement across the frontier. Checkpoints will appear along a 60 km frontier stretch.

Britain sliced the North-West Frontier Province off Afghanistan toward the 19th century's end on tactics which followed from its colonial Forward Policy. Pakistani soldiers have never appeared in the province, whose borders are guarded by the tribal militia.

Regular troops were introduced in several western areas after Pakistan joined the international anti-terror coalition. Momand is following now.

The press evaluates the total Pakistani contingent in the Pashtu-populated areas at 70,000 officers and men.