ISLAMABAD — The notorious US security firm Blackwater has reportedly established a presence in the restive tribal belt on the Afghan borders to help the FBI and CIA track down Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants allegedly hiding there and protect USAID projects.
"We have sent a report to the government regarding Backwater's presence in the country," an intelligence official told Islamonline.net requesting anonymity for not being authorized to discuss the sensitive issue.
Intelligence sources say that currently 20 to 25 Blackwater agents are operating in the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), which borders Afghanistan, masquerading themselves as US intelligence and diplomatic officials.
"They are trying to establish their feet. They are hiding themselves under the diplomatic and FBI covers."
He said Blackwater has hired the services of some local security agencies to work for them.
"We are keeping an eye on the security agencies they have hired."
The intelligence official says Blackwater came to the tribal belt for two reasons.
"First, to track down Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders, which US agencies believe are hiding along the Pak-Afghan border. Secondly, to provide security to the various projects launched by USAID in NWFP, and some tribal areas."
The South Carolina-based security firm gained world notoriety over involvement in dozens of unprovoked civilian killings in Iraq.
Established 10 years ago by Erik Prince , a former Navy SEAL and a right-wing son of a multi-millionaire, the security consulting firm has grown into what US investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill describes as the "world's most powerful mercenary army."
Riding machine-gun mounted utility vehicles, Blackwater’s armed contractors have gained notoriety for shooting first and not bothering to ask questions later.
A recent US congressional report discovered Blackwater has been involved in 195 shooting incidents since 2005, mostly unprovoked.
"We have sent a report to the government regarding Backwater's presence in the country," an intelligence official told Islamonline.net requesting anonymity for not being authorized to discuss the sensitive issue.
Intelligence sources say that currently 20 to 25 Blackwater agents are operating in the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), which borders Afghanistan, masquerading themselves as US intelligence and diplomatic officials.
"They are trying to establish their feet. They are hiding themselves under the diplomatic and FBI covers."
He said Blackwater has hired the services of some local security agencies to work for them.
"We are keeping an eye on the security agencies they have hired."
The intelligence official says Blackwater came to the tribal belt for two reasons.
"First, to track down Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders, which US agencies believe are hiding along the Pak-Afghan border. Secondly, to provide security to the various projects launched by USAID in NWFP, and some tribal areas."
The South Carolina-based security firm gained world notoriety over involvement in dozens of unprovoked civilian killings in Iraq.
Established 10 years ago by Erik Prince , a former Navy SEAL and a right-wing son of a multi-millionaire, the security consulting firm has grown into what US investigative reporter Jeremy Scahill describes as the "world's most powerful mercenary army."
Riding machine-gun mounted utility vehicles, Blackwater’s armed contractors have gained notoriety for shooting first and not bothering to ask questions later.
A recent US congressional report discovered Blackwater has been involved in 195 shooting incidents since 2005, mostly unprovoked.
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