DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Sufi Mohammad?s son killed in Lower Dir shelling
Sufi Mohammads son killed in Lower Dir shelling
Sufi Mohammads son killed in Lower Dir shelling
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Artillery can be utilized effectively if it is accurate.
Given how many militants there are in the region, and that they are choosing to defend (instead of guerrilla hit and run tactics) this phase of the combat would be akin to a conventional light infantry battle.
So even if you avoided artillery and Attack Heli's, there would potentially be significant collateral damage given the amount of firepower that would have to be brought to bear on the insurgents to overrun them.
Infiltrating spotters etc. to target militants and engaging them with artillery and Air strikes minimizes the risk to troops with minimal increase in risk (if any) to civilians, during this phase of the operation, in my non-military opinion.
Once the area is cleared, saturation of the region with Military, paramilitary and LEA's to conduct patrols and maintain law and order, while reconstruction is carried out, would then be required.
What say?
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Troops killed in Pakistan clashesInside Mingora, the Taleban are getting ready for an attack which local people expect to be imminent. One eyewitness told the BBC he had seen militants planting land mines, digging trenches and cutting down trees to block roads.
BBC NEWS | South Asia | Troops killed in Pakistan clashes
7000+ militants estimated - This will take a while, and there will be significant civilian and military casualties.
Pakistanis should be prepared for this and the long haul. Support the offensive no matter what.
a.Any idea as to
a. How many troops deployed there?
b. The report mentions 10 soldiers being killed are they army men or Frontier Corps personnel?
i heard DG ISPR sayin the samehting... tht they first target militants with artillery and gunship and then send in troops. but i was of the view that artillery and gunship will cause more damage to civillians than militants. but i guess more innocents get killed in cross fire than coz of shelling.
That will happen, but note also that 30+ civilians were killed in combat between militants and SF's in Mingora in one day alone, and no airstrikes or artillery were employed by the PA/PAF.Agreed but the catch words are "accurate". Anyone familiar with the arty ops will be able to ennumerate upon the frequency of screw ups in implementation of fire missions in a dynamic and fluid field of engagement.
I disagree for the reasons mentioned above.The present strategy in fact is antithetical to this stated claim of PA.
In this case you are talking about all of Swat, Dir an Buner - this is a massive amount of territory to cordon, not feasible at all.Troops typically cordon off the region that is inhabited by the militants and wait. Its then a question of resources running out first.
I have a different opinion on that. The fact that at ground level you are able to effectively differentiate between a potential threat and an innocent bystander far supersedes the risks involved to own troops. The basic foundation for this is that the troops are meant for securing the lives of innocent citizens.
Such differentiation is impossible in fire missions involving arty/air assets due to lack of verification in real time. A contention of inserting an observation post (OP) in the sector may not necessarily allow you to plan fire missions to avoid civillian casulties. In urbane set up .... its a nightmare.
Agreed but the catch words are "accurate". Anyone familiar with the arty ops will be able to ennumerate upon the frequency of screw ups in implementation of fire missions in a dynamic and fluid field of engagement.
Are you referring to indian artillery??
enigma
i mean all arty batts WITHOUT exceptions.
now if you have somehow developed technology which none have to control projectiles which are governed by projectile mechanics then I am sure your fire support will be pinpoint and accurate. and you may be able to provide firemissions with zero error probabilty controlling the windspeed, drag, drafts in moutainous terrain which may govern your projectile as it traverses the air to its target area.