Defending Kashgar: China, Pakistan cooperate on cross-border terror
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E-mail CNTV, August 3, 2014
Kashgar region lies right on China's frontier with Pakistan and Afghanistan, in Xinjiang. It's seen as the frontline in China's war on terrorism. There's rising concern over possible border crossings by Afghan fighters or Xinjiang separatists heading to train in Afghanistan.
It's just another day on the job for border police in Xinjiang.
At this border area shared by China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the likelihood of a terror attack is high and drills are frequently held to ensure troops remain vigilant.
This drill simulates a scenario where terrorists attempt to leave China, crossing border inspections.
However, as they get to Pakistan, authorities received pre-warning from the Chinese border police. And they are ready for a blockade even before the Chinese reinforcement arrives.
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Defending Kashgar: China, Pakistan cooperate on cross-border terror |
The terrorists then reverse course and escape back into China, only to be cornered head-on by Chinese police. The gang then abandon the operation to run for their lives, before being captured jointly by Chinese and Pakistani forces.
China and Pakistan share a 600-kilometer-long border. It's largely a remote terrain of mountainous routes, which terrorists exploit as hiding ground.
Along this, the Khunjerab pass is the most dangerous point. Many terrorists trained by the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement in Afghanistan have attempted to cross this outpost into Chinese territory.
"Gun and bomb smuggling is rampant in Afghanistan, a deadly threat to Chinese if terrorists ever bring them in. And over 80% of the world's opium comes from Afghanistan. Terrorists sponsor their activities through opium and smuggle it from Khunjerab," said Wang Yong, political instructor of Khunjerab border control.
Each day, hundreds of vehicles cross the border at Khunjerab. Every passenger's luggage needs to be inspected.
The most important task for border police now is to keep terrorists and illegal weapons out of China. One unchecked danger could mean fatal consequences to ordinary people.
"The border check is the last line of defense against terrorist infiltration. Security relies largely on close intelligence cooperation with Pakistan. Both sides pass on information on the Taliban or the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement. Most terrorists were caught here because we had advance warning," Lyu Duobin, deputy chief of Khunjerab Border Control, said.
The war on terror requires cooperation between different countries, particularly at border areas. The Sino-Pakistani cooperation is an outstanding example of how countries can work together to fight against terror threats, which is a common enemy of humanity. Han Peng, CCTV, from China-Pakistan border.
Defending Kashgar, this remote but crucial gate to Xinjiang, means devotion and sacrifice from soldiers and their families.
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