Formation of a COIN warfare unit separate from the army to deal with insurgents?

[TheSolution]

This suggestion was briefly touched on in another thread but members wanted to discuss further without derailing from the main topic.

Should Pakistan create a new counter-insurgency unit that operates separate from the army to deal with internal threats mainly emerging from insurgents in remote areas of Balochistan and Pakhtunkwa?

It can receive training and equipment specifically catered towards countering guerilla warfare tactics and operating in difficult unique terrains found in Pakistan. As well as receiving close support from intelligence agencies, and having access to drone technology, MRAPs, and informants for full coverage surveillance within the insurgent strongholds and surrounding areas.

Over time it will become a refined, effective and experienced force.

We know the FC already exists to serve a similar purpose but they are under-equipped and haven't been as successful as desired. This force will require more funding and increased number of man-power with more refined training and equipment.

@ziaulislam
@[SSG]Q266

 

[Steppe Wolff]

Why form a new COIN unit?

Why not combine the existing Paramilitaries in Pakistan into a single National Guard with the responsibility of Internal Security?

Army should focus all their energies on external threats.

 

[AlKardai]

The ping failed, but I found the thread anyway.

I agree with the above, but in addition, education will be needed.

The entire reason that the BLA and TTP issues keep resurfacing is due to the gradual indoctrination of people in the region without a valid counter.

This would involve making sure that sympathisers of the above are routed out, in a sympathetic manner rather than an anger-filled one.
This would include teaching about the immorality of these groups, and increasing the levels of nationalism within affected areas

 

[TheSolution]

Why form a new COIN unit?

Why not combine the existing Paramilitaries in Pakistan into a single National Guard with the responsibility of Internal Security?

Army should focus all their energies on external threats.

Yeah, the existing units that serve a similar purpose should be absorbed into this one.

But it should have more refined training for each soldier depending on the terrain in insurgent strongholds and high quality equipment and training dedicated specifically for countering guerilla warfare.

 

[Steppe Wolff]

Yeah, the existing units that serve a similar purpose should be absorbed into this one.

But it should have more refined training for each soldier depending on the terrain in insurgent strongholds and high quality equipment dedicated specifically for countering guerilla warfare.

Yes, the existing Paramilitaries can serve as the base and from there, specialized capabilities can be built upon.

And National Guard in my opinion should be independent of the Armed Forces with its own officer cadre, this would also serve as a balancing force in Pakistan.

 

[AlKardai]

Why form a new COIN unit?

Why not combine the existing Paramilitaries in Pakistan into a single National Guard with the responsibility of Internal Security?

Army should focus all their energies on external threats.

It would be very costly and inefficient to refine a massive force down to a specific task.
It would be better to use the SSG, namely the Zarrar commandos to train specific FC units in the skills listed above.

These FC units would then be linked to a larger unit, which operates highly in conjunction with indoctrination prevention schemes run by the government, surveillance of affected regions by drones and a rapport or emotional bridge being built between the units and the general community.

This would be the best way forward, in my opinion.

Yes, the existing Paramilitaries can serve as the base and from there, specialized capabilities can be built upon.

And National Guard in my opinion should be independent of the Armed Forces with its own officer cadre, this would also serve as a balancing force in Pakistan.

Due to the army's political standing, your suggestions are very sensible. However, rather than having a balancing act, it would be easier to found the specialised group and wait for the Politicians such as Imran Khan to reduce the power level of the army within politics- otherwise the National guard could end up as another rod for the country's back

 

[Steppe Wolff]

It would be very costly and inefficient to refine a massive force down to a specific task.
It would be better to use the SSG, namely the Zarrar commandos to train specific FC units in the skills listed above.

These FC units would then be linked to a larger unit, which operates highly in conjunction with indoctrination prevention schemes run by the government, surveillance of affected regions by drones and a rapport or emotional bridge being built between the units and the general community.

This would be the best way forward, in my opinion.

But refining all the mixtures of Paramilitaries we have in Pakistan also has multiple benefits,

Standardized training across the board, better use of funds, their own specialist units, a balancing force in the country if its made independent of Army.

Right now, FC lads are cannon fodder.

 

[AlKardai]

But refining all the mixtures of Paramilitaries we have in Pakistan also has multiple benefits,

Standardized training across the board, better use of funds, their own specialist units, a balancing force in the country if its made independent of Army.

Right now, FC lads are cannon fodder.

This should definitely be done. I have also suggested increasing the base quality level of BDUs, Helmets, Plate Carriers and optics.
The fear factor upon insurgents often has a large part to play. Especially when seeing a well equipped and organised force as their opponent

Let's be honest. Look at the well equipped soldiers of the US, and then look at the equipment of average soldiers in the FC or Pk army.
I know looks don't often equate to quality or efficiency, but Pakistan urgently need to increase this aspect, because they still look like they're from the '80s.

 

[villageidiot]

Why not combine the existing Paramilitaries in Pakistan into a single National Guard with the responsibility of Internal Security?

What would be the pros and cons of unifying the assorted paramilitaries with have into a federal entity?
@Bleek
@Signalian
@PanzerKiel

 

[AlKardai]

What would be the pros and cons of unifying the assorted paramilitaries with have into a federal entity?
@Bleek
@Signalian
@PanzerKiel

I will wait for their response, but I am majorly in favour of them being honed into a single national guard.
My main fear is whether they will remain apolitical- we have seen the results of a very "neutral" army in the past few weeks, and a force with the safety of the nation as its key responsibility could lead to massive issues if they decide to try their hand at politics, or if they sell themselves to the establishment. This is due to the fact that they could be used to keep Pakistan from progressing, rather than freeing the people from the shackles of fear.

 

[AlKardai]

On the actual specifications of the group:
They need to be extremely hi-tech.
The usage of small drones in surveillance operations is absolutely invaluable, as they are able to relay information back to base, at a rate higher than any soldier. Furthermore, they can be equipped with thermal imagery very easily, and there are quite a few available.
(DJI MATRICE)

I would liken it very closely to the "Refaim" or Phantom commando unit within the IDF.
They use close air support in the form of drones, as well as commercially available drones to make sure that no part of the affected regions are away from their gaze.
I don't like making links to them, but credit where it is due.

 

[R2D2]

It seems like a good idea. Saudi Arabia has its regular army and also tribal army which is loyal to the King. Iran has a Normal Army and the Revolutionary Guards. When the things cool down in Pakistan, we can have a force like the French Foreign Legion.

 

[villageidiot]

I will wait for their response, but I am majorly in favour of them being honed into a single national guard.
My main fear is whether they will remain apolitical- we have seen the results of a very "neutral" army in the past few weeks, and a force with the safety of the nation as its key responsibility could lead to massive issues if they decide to try their hand at politics, or if they sell themselves to the establishment. This is due to the fact that they could be used to keep Pakistan from progressing, rather than freeing the people from the shackles of fear.

A very valid concern but i think that's always going to be there. The solution is greater political participation of the masses and the gradual curtailment of the military's role and that we stop looking at martial laws as the panacea. Thankfully, there's some progress on that front, thanks to none other the bajwa. As voter awareness increases, so will the accountability of politicians hopefully and the vacuum that the military fills will shrink.

I could be wrong I don't think there is a single major demographic in Pakistan who would reliably back the army's forays into politics anymore. They've successfully managed to turn everyone against them in a short span of 4 years. And they sooner they wake up to that reality, the better it is for Pakistan.

On the actual specifications of the group:
They need to be extremely hi-tech.
The usage of small drones in surveillance operations is absolutely invaluable, as they are able to relay information back to base, at a rate higher than any soldier. Furthermore, they can be equipped with thermal imagery very easily, and there are quite a few available.
(DJI MATRICE)

I would liken it very closely to the "Refaim" or Phantom commando unit within the IDF.
They use close air support in the form of drones, as well as commercially available drones to make sure that no part of the affected regions are away from their gaze.
I don't like making links to them, but credit where it is due.

I am woefully unprepared to talk on this subject. but I do think we lack severely when it comes to utilizing technology and modern tactics.

While we are at the topic, I've read many a times that recon drones are a potential game changer against BLA ambushes. Can you please shed a light on whether it's a practical suggestion, given our resources, training, terrain etc or not?

 

[AlKardai]

I am woefully unprepared to talk on this subject. but I do think we lack severely when it comes to utilizing technology and modern tactics.

While we are at the topic, I've read many a times that recon drones are a potential game changer against BLA ambushes. Can you please shed a light on whether it's a practical suggestion, given our resources, training, terrain etc or not?

On the topic of drone usage:

I believe very devoutly that the usage of drone technology in counter insurgency will lead to a massive decrease in the number of attacks. In fact, it may even remove it altogether

Asymmetrical warfare relies on guerrilla warfare tactics such as ambushes, covert attacks and sniper attacks.

In short, they rely on being hidden. If you have eyes everywhere, you take away their main advantage.

In terms of the availability and usage of the technology, I am sure that it would be very easy to integrate. A drone operative unit could simply expand to include small, commercially available reconnaissance drones. These are expensive for the individual, but a fraction of the price of designated military drones. Furthermore, the usage of drones to drop mortars has been shown within the Ukraine war. Many of these drones are simply upgraded versions of the ones bought off the shelf, yet they have wrecked havoc on ground forces.

A swarm of these drones could completely eradicate an asymmetrical assault, by working in tandem with locating the insurgents through the reconnaissance systems, and then eliminating them in the mortar swarm.

This could get the job done without having to even put boots on the ground. At most, troops would only have to be deployed to mop up the ones behind fortifications or in areas with civilians

On top of this, the terrain of Balochistan tends to be very flat and barren. This means that the BLA’s attacks are done under the cover of darkness. Take away that cover by having drones equipped with night vision, and they are simply just sitting ducks

 

[AlKardai]

I will keep reading up on techniques, and add them to this thread

I am currently researching the integration of different plate carriers alongside standard Pak army BDUs