India, Jan. 27 -- The bitter falling out between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban rulers is one of the striking ironies of contemporary history. Islamabad could not have done more for the Taliban. It was instrumental to their establishment. Its support in the form of the training and arming of their troops, and stiffening of the latter's ranks with the deputation of Pakistan Army's officers and men, enabled them to establish their first regime over most of Afghanistan in September 1997.

During the US-led campaign against the Taliban in 2001, Pakistan airlifted, with American consent, a large number of its army personnel and agents of the Directorate-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), along with top commanders and fighter...