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Operation Rah-e-Nijat (South Waziristan)

Mods: I see that I have interrupted a good discussion. I apologize. Please delete my previous posts if necessary.
 
Highly unlikely. The army under General Kiyani i believe will refrain from any such action because we all know how unpopular the "state instutution" became under Pres. Musharraff for such acts

So IMHO, there is little to very little chance of an emeergency being imposed

but what if the government declares emergency?? we all know that they have failed......you know whats the cost of darjun anday (12 eggs) as of today?? it costed me over 70rs today and just 2 years back it was only 35....

the point is that they have failed in every regard....failed to provide security .... failed to provide with sugar.....i cant find sugar at a reasonable rate unless i go to defence which is a posh area....
 
Security forces achieve substantial success in Rah-e-Nijat

ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP): In a bold move security forces achieved surprise by securing important features around Kaniguram, the major stronghold of terrorists and important base of Uzbeks, Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abass said on Wednesday.

Giving briefing to media-persons on operation in South Waziristan, ISPR DG said in last 24 hours, 25 terrorists have been killed while huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered.

However, five soldiers were wounded during the gun battle with terrorists, he said.Strongly condemning the bomb blast in Peshawar where a number of innocent lives including children and women have been lost, Major Gen Athar Abbass said the leadership of terrorists is on the run owing to strong offensive by Pakistan Army.

He said such cowardice acts of terrorists speak themselves that the terrorists are making desperate move by targeting the innocent people.

He said in firm tone that the Armed Forces of the country will fight against the terrorists who include foreigners most of them Uzbeks, and few of Central Asians and Arabs and defeat them on every front.
He said the Uzbeks are expert in making explosive devices besides giving terrorist training.

Quoting some information, he said that terrorists have been giving training of suicide bombing to children between ages of 12 to 13 years.

He said that a few of foot soldiers of terrorists have been arrested while so far no notorious leader has been captured from South Waziristan.

On Jandola - Sararogha Axis he said the security forces are progressing well and securing heights along the main road Kotkai - Sararogha that overlook Sararogha.

Security forces secured important road Nullah Junction 2 kms north of Ganrakas along with important height point 1233 west of road Kotkai-Sararogha. During engagements 8 terrorists were killed while 3 soldiers were injured.

He said that sanitization of Inzar Kalay has been completed while during sanitization of Murghabund, 3 x Training Complexes have been discovered and destroyed along with number of 82 mm mortar and Single Barrel Rocket Launchers (SBRL) Rockets.
During sanitization of Kotkai, a total of 25 training centres have been destroyed along with 9 caves.

On Shakai - Kaniguram Axis, he said, the important feature Karwan Manza located 2 kms east of Kaniguram has been secured. This feature effectively dominates Kaniguram from the east. The feature also over looks the town of Karama towards south east on road Kaniguram-Kotkai. Karama is a stronghold and training centre of foreign terrorists. During engagements 5 terrorists were killed while one soldier sustained injuries.

Towards west, he said the important feature of point 2120 has also been successfully secured dominating Kaniguram from the west.
On Razmak- Makeen Axis, he said the security forces are consolidating their positions at Shaga, point 6813 Tip-Ghar Top, Lagar Narai and Sharakai Sar and conducting search and cordon operations at Nawazkot area.

DG ISPR said during clearance operations 15 bunkers and Sanghars have been destroyed along with 37 rockets while in clearance of Zar e Sar, one solider got injured while 12 terrorists have been killed besides recovering weapons like, three 12.7 mm guns, 500 RPG-7 Rockets, 100 82 mm Mortar bombs, 20 Rockets, 12000 rounds of SMG and Medical Equipment.

Director General ISPR, Major General Athar Abass said that the central leadership of the terrorists was present in the area while the presence of Hakimullah cannot be confirmed.

Answering another question, he categorically denied that any incident of landing of two helicopters coming from Bagram (Afghanistan) had landed at Makeen and airlifted some people a few days back. “There is no possibility of such occurrence,” he said.

He told a questioner that the Army had already given its stance on the Kerry Lugar Bill through a press release and in the same sentence it was clearly stated that the Parliament is a sovereign forum and its decision would be honoured accordingly. “I will not add any word to that,” he said.

He warned the tribesmen in North Waziristan saying that they should not allow entry of terrorists in their area as they (terrorists) would vitiate the peaceful atmosphere.

In reply to a question, he said that the NATO forces had made
some readjustments of their post positions along Pak-Afghan border.
However, he said further details are still awaited.

Replying to a question regarding the presence of Fazlullah in Malakand and Swat area, he said the security forces have already besieged militant leader Fazlullah and the circle is being squeezed around him.

He said a number of Fazlullah’s allies had already been rounded up by the security forces, which have broken the terrorists network in the cities.

About the trial of arrested terrorists, he said, the government has been incorporating some amendments in the Anti Terrorist laws and trial of their cases would be undertaken by the Anti-Terrorists courts.
Giving details about the operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat and Malakand, he said, three terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Shagai, Malam Jabba and Manglaur.

Security forces conducted search operation at Sharifabad, Malukabad, Mingora and surroundings and apprehended 10 suspects, he said.

He said 7,085 cash cards have been distributed amongst the displaced families of Waziristan while 50 ton of mix rations were distributed by Army amongst the IDPs.

Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira, Secretary Information and Broadcasting Mansoor Suhail and Principal Information Officer Rashid Ahmed were also present.
 
but what if the government declares emergency?? we all know that they have failed......you know whats the cost of darjun anday (12 eggs) as of today?? it costed me over 70rs today and just 2 years back it was only 35....

the point is that they have failed in every regard....failed to provide security .... failed to provide with sugar.....i cant find sugar at a reasonable rate unless i go to defence which is a posh area....

I totally understand inflation and all the other hardships. And i think GOP may be showing lackluster performence in terms of economic issues but IMO the taking on the TTP is significant.

The Talibs in Swat were whipped, now Waziristan looks to be similar

So emergency is gonna send us back in time, not save any lives or gain any suport
 
COMMENT: Waziristan: the last bastion of terrorists —Shaukat Qadir

So far the army is meeting its timetable for the offensive, but progress from here onwards is likely to be much slower as the lines of communication are extended and become vulnerable to guerrilla action

Waziristan is the largest chunk of territory in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. It is harsh, rugged, semi-mountainous terrain, with very few springs and waterholes; therefore, sparsely populated. The last census two decades ago (all censuses of tribal areas are notoriously inaccurate), calculated the population of South Waziristan, the area of the Mehsud tribe, at 250,000; a rough estimate today would place it at about 400,000. Out of which 200,000 left South Waziristan before commencement of the ground operation on October 17, and about 150,000 left since.

The remaining 50,000 Mehsuds are not all Taliban; I estimate about 30,000; equally divided under Hakimullah and Waliur Rahman; the latter having separated from the former; both ex-deputies to Baitullah.

South Waziristan is southern extreme of FATA and a strip to its southeast juts in towards Punjab. To its north is North Waziristan. To the east lie settled areas of the NWFP. To the south is Balochistan, and to its west is Afghanistan.

When I spoke to some of the young officers and soldiers who were ready to enter South Waziristan for ‘Operation Rah-e-Nijat’ — which roughly translates to ‘the path to rid oneself...’ as soon as they received orders, what impressed me most was that they were totally calm and unworried. It was obvious that these were battle-hardened veterans, some expressed their unhappiness at having to fight their own citizens, but they had seen what the Taliban were capable of and, despite the regret, were fully determined. My confidence in their ability increased with each minute that I spoke to them.

Unlike Swat, which shared no borders with Afghanistan, enabling the military to utilise all entry points into the region, ensuring minimal escape, in South Waziristan, Pakistan has only three openings available. Pakistan’s security forces have chosen to block the southern exit and attack from the north and east. The army has obviously been permitted to use North Waziristan with the assurance that their rear will not be threatened; what the military forces promised the Wazirs in return for this ‘safe passage’ is unknown.

The northern direction gives the security forces the shortest route to the areas where terrorist headquarters and training camps are located as well as Kotkai, the parent village of both Hakimullah and Qari Hussain, alias Qari Raees, the one responsible for training suicide bombers. This village fell to the army after two days of fierce fighting on October 24.

Obviously, therefore, it was to be expected that US forces would have sealed entry and exit to South Waziristan from Afghanistan.

Surprisingly, instead of playing the ‘anvil’ to the Pakistan Army’s ‘hammer’, they unexpectedly vacated seven posts they were manning on the Afghan border with South Waziristan. Despite whatever deal has been struck between the army and the Wazirs, and despite the fact that the Wazirs have traditionally fought to oust foreigners from their territory, it is not unlikely that some among them may still be inclined to give ‘safe passage’ to Afghan reinforcements transiting to South Waziristan, which can compound the problem by threatening the rear of the army.

I am certain that US forces are not unaware of this fact and that if they have opened this door, reinforcements can enter South Waziristan at will and, in the face of impending defeat, will be able to escape back to Afghanistan. Pakistan’s COAS has raised his concerns on this issue with General Petraeus, Commander CENTCOM, during his visit on October 19.

Militarily, the only plausible explanation that comes to mind for this otherwise inexplicable act by US forces is that they want reinforcements to enter South Waziristan from Afghanistan and will, thereafter, close the exits. However, unless this is prearranged with Pakistani forces, whose task will be made many times more difficult, which is obviously not the case, this is tantamount to accepting the ineptitude of US forces in Afghanistan, who are passing on their problem for Pakistani forces to solve. If this is true, I can only feel sorry for the US commanders, who obviously lack faith in their own abilities and troops.

Any such terrorist organisation needs some territory under its control, for their HQ, training, administration, issuance of coordinated instructions, and a safe haven. South Waziristan is their last bastion and they will fight for it. If reinforcements sneak through from Afghanistan, the battle could be prolonged and take greater toll. Even as the Americans, recognising the significance of this operation, are promising all possible assistance by way of intelligence and employing drones in support of the Pakistan forces, they also seem to be making things as difficult as possible by vacating posts from where Uzbeks and Tajiks can, and will, reinforce the Mehsuds.

If we go by the population figures I have quoted, there are less than 50,000 Mehsuds left in South Waziristan and not all of them are aligned with the Taliban. The presence of a few thousand foreigners and Punjabis will swell the Taliban ranks but not by much. Pakistani troops carrying out the offensive number a mere 30,000; they undoubtedly have more fire power, but as they capture and hold territories, their numbers will thin further, despite reinforcements moving in to hold captured territories.

Progress of the northern prong has been understandably slow, both due to mountainous terrain and stiff resistance. However, troops have captured the heights first and have attacked valleys from there. Sararogha will be the next test; it is another stronghold, followed by another two till they reach the Ladha, the last stronghold.

So far the army is meeting its timetable for the offensive, but progress from here onwards is likely to be much slower as the lines of communication are extended and become vulnerable to guerrilla action.

Despite the difficulties, it appears that the Pakistan Army is likely to succeed in retaking South Waziristan; while the US helps both protagonists! The US has often done this on many a prior occasion; assisting Iran (the Iran Gate Scandal), after having encouraged Iraq into attacking the former; even Baitullah was acknowledged among the Mehsuds to be a CIA agent and was obviously killed when he had outlived his utility, but this was the least expected occasion.

The writer is a former vice president and founder of the Islamabad Policy Research Insititute (IPRI)
 
Troops surround key TTP village on way to Sararogha

* 25 terrorists killed, huge cache of arms and ammunition seized
* Security forces surround Kaniguram from three sides


By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: Security forces on Wednesday besieged a key Taliban stronghold near Sararogha in South Waziristan from three directions.

The village, Kaniguram, was considered the operational centre of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the agency.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said after surrounding Kaniguram from three sides, the forces advanced into the Jandola-Sararogha axis and secured several important heights in the Nawazkot area on the Razmak-Makeen axis.

The ISPR statement said security forces had achieved substantial success on all three fronts.

The government said on Wednesday the terrorists were "on the run" and attacking civilian targets in "desperation" as the military was destroying Taliban hideouts in the ongoing offensive, adding that 25 Taliban had been killed and large caches of arms recovered in the last 24 hours from various parts of South Waziristan.

The security forces suffered no casualty in the last 24 hours.

Addressing a press briefing, ISPR Director General Maj Gen Athar Abbas and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the operation was progressing successfully and the terrorists, contrary to their claims of putting up stiff resistance, were on the run.

Maj Gen Abbas said the military was gaining ground on the Jandola-Sararogha axis and securing heights along the Kotkai-Sararogha main road which overlooks Sararogha. He said security forces had secured the important Nullah Junction, two kilometres north of Ganrakas along with an important height, Point 1233 west of Kotkai-Sararogha road.

He said that during the search operation in Murghabund, three terrorist training complexes had been discovered and destroyed, and a number of 82mm mortar and single barrel rocket launchers recovered.

Maj Gen Abbas said the forces had also achieved success on the Shakai-Kaniguram axis and had secured important posts around Kaniguram, the major stronghold of Uzbek terrorists.

An important post, Karwan Manza, located 2 km east of Kaniguram, had also been secured, he said. Qaira and Abbas told the press briefing that the Taliban had trained several minors as suicide bombers, who were attempting to sneak into North Waziristan.

According to ISPR figures, 264 terrorists have been killed during the operation that was launched on the 17th of this month, while six terrorists have been arrested, but no high-value targets had been acquired so far. The security forces have lost 31 men and 94 personnel have been injured. To a question, the ISPR DG said intelligence reports had revealed that key terrorists leaders Waliur Rehman and Qari Hussain were still in South Waziristan, while the whereabouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) chief Hakeemullah Mehsud were unknown.

He said there were unconfirmed reports that TTP Swat chief Fazullah was also hiding in the valley.

Maj General Abbas said the arrested terrorists would be tried in civilian anti-terrorist courts for which amendments were being made in the anti-terrorism laws.

To a question about the military's apprehensions over US aid through the Kerry Lugar law, he said the armed forces had expressed their reservations in an official statement issued after the corps commanders' meeting and he would not comment on the issue further. Commenting on the vacating of border posts by NATO forces following the start of the Waziristan military offensive, Maj General Abbas said the international forces had only "readjusted" their positions.
 
Sounds like that the CIA is to blame for allowing reinforcements to aid the Mehsuds...
 
WANA: At least seven militants were killed and five injured during ongoing military operation against Taliban in South Waziristan Agency (SWA) on right after Thursday morning, Geo news reported ISPR sources as saying.

According to sources, reports regarding deadly clashes between security forces and militants reached here early on morning in parts of SWA including Sherongi, Laddha Road, Momi Karam, Kot Kai and Sararogha areas, which resulted in deaths of seven militants, leaving five others injured.

Meanwhile, security forces troops are advancing towards militants’ key strongholds in region, sources added.
 
WANA: Security forces have secured key area of Sherongai during ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat against foreign militants in Shakai and Ladha areas.

General Officer Commanding Major General Khalid Rabbani in a media briefing said eight-two (82) militants have been killed whereas six (6) security men have been martyred and 43 wounded during the action. He said security forces have secured the Sherongai area from Uzbek militants. Large number of Chechen, Uzbek and Turkmenistan militants is still present in Shakai Ladha area. He expressed hope that Kanigaram area will be cleared soon. - Geo News
 
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Just 3 months before I visited Hangu..........this man is a liar.........!!!!!
 
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