Operations in Dir and Buner

[parihaka]

Actually the issue is history. Remember the Police forces in what is now Pakistan were setup by the British and like most British forces, the police were (and still are mostly) unarmed. The police were setup on provincial lines and in each province a much smaller "armed contingent" was raised to deal with problems as they arose, for example the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) which last I checked was still active in India. In the Frontier due to its special issues you actually had two; Frontier Constabulary and the Frontier Corps. FC is setup on regular army lines (unlike the Constabulary) with proper regiments and battalions (called wings).

The FC is pretty well armed, they are led by regular army officers for the most part. Since independance they have been doing pretty much every thing except for their actual remit, they served as auxillary troops in Kashmir and in the wars, been loaned out to other provinces when needed, guarding embassies world wide etc.

When the FC faced taliban-AQ militants in 2004 for the first time, what they did well in Wana and other places, they pretty much annahilated them. The problems that the FC and regular army faced in FATA began in 2007 when the place blew up again after the Red Mosque incident. FC had as a result of the operations in 2004 been spread out all over FATA in penny packets, as a result the militants (and there numbers were swelled after the Red Mosque fiasco) would attack one or two isolated posts in strength and the terrain being what it was it meant that the posts would pretty much be on there own until reinforcements would come in, and that could take hours in what is the worst terrain in the world. For the most part the attacks would lead to dead militants but on occassion they succeeded-and these were the ones reported. In addition most of the tribes had turned against the Government after the Red Mosque siege and were actively opposing the Government. When the FC and indeed army went in, they often took casualties, and although they took all the objectives they were set. And we are where we are, with a heavy FC presence in all areas.

As for why regular army is not being used, simple they are not trained for this task, yes units can and are being retrained, (on average battalions earmarked for FATA undergo training for three months before being sent) but when say; a mechanised infantry battalion stationed in the southern desert is sent to the area (and in 2007 many were) it is going to be fighting a very different battle from the one it was tarined to fight-for years which is to support a major armoured thrust into Rajestan as opposed to chasing militants across a mountain range where the valleys are higher than the tops of the Alps (and I am not kidding here); well its a waste of money. Far better to use the assets that you have; which is FC.

Sparten, nice to see you again and thank you for the most coherent and logical explanation I've had as regards the FC.

 

[ajpirzada]

which agency you belong?

i am from bajor and my tribe mamond fought with talibs along with army...tribal ppl in my area hate talibs... its only with they help from out siders talibs consolidated we are with army and will remain

tribal ppl want peace...
u talk about colletral damage...well when army is conducting operation there is bound to be colletral damage
but let me asure you troops never slaughter talibs nor they distroy or loot property of people... its kharji fitnah of presend day which do it with pride

we respect you for your sacrifices brother.... i hope once peace comes back, GoP will step fwd and help u in building your damaged houses. Longlive

 

[Xeric]

i told ya the media will now weep and monger about the civilians' problems as the offensive takes a harsher turn.

First complain about the ineffectiveness then cry about over-effectiveness and keep on earning the money.

Guud going media!

 

[sparten]

In 1994, they hung a few militants commanders upside down in helicopters and flew them over militant positions and they militants gave up.

In the 60's, Dir was pounded mercilessly by the PAF for several weeks after the Afghans invaded, in the 50's, we kept two squadrons of Hawker Tempests, long obsolete but useful in this purpose, for operations against the faqir of Ipi.

Wish our mediamen had read a history book...........though it might be too much to expect them to be able to read in the first place.

 

[ajpirzada]

Full-scale military operation likely in Buner

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

By Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: The Army is gearing up for launching a full-scale military operation in the strategically located Buner district to defeat the militants and secure control of the area to block their possible advances to other areas, particularly Hazara, official sources told The News on Monday.

“Preparations have been completed for the operation in which air attacks will also be carried out,” sources said. “Air squadron is ready, two brigade army troops are arriving while the Frontier Constabulary is already in Buner,” the sources having knowledge of the changing security situation in the Malakand region, said. The government launched a first-ever terrorism-related operation in Maidan area of the Lower Dir district to kill or capture militants, who have been threatening the peace of the area. Security forces claimed to have killed 46 militants in the two-day action in the Lal Qila and Islamdara areas. In Dir, they have also been using gunship helicopters to pound the suspected positions of the militants. Swat militants, after having a pause in fighting in the valley in the wake of a peace deal, advanced towards Buner and Shangla districts. They also provided support to the militants in Lower Dir and Upper Dir to make them able to entrench positions in their respective areas.

Commander Hafizullah, probably a code name and Maulana Amir Khitab, believed to be Afghan, have been leading militants in Lower Dir and Upper Dir, respectively. However, at the moment militant activities in Upper Dir have not been the matter of concern for the security forces. The government and military are desperate to clear Buner and Shangla districts of the militants and secure the control of these districts to block further advances by militants, who could threaten key sites of the country.

Maulana Fazlullah-led militants entered Buner district in the first week of April and secured a firm control of the district after a clash in Gokand. After that incident, it was a walkover for them. The militants control caused concern domestically and internationally, forcing the government to take action to neutralise the growing threat. The militants pulled out of Buner district to stave off military operation, but government seems unwilling to trust the militants.

However, now the government has decided to launch an all-out military operation in Buner to eliminate or flush militants out of the district. Official sources said that the Frontier Corps and the Army troops would take part in the operation. For the purpose, they added, two brigade Army troops were arriving in the troubled district. “The operation could be started in the next few days,” the sources said, avoiding giving an exact date for launching action.

A Jirga in Buner, the other day, asked militants to stop their activities and demanded of the government not to send security forces to the district. Air strikes on the positions of the militants, which had been identified, would be carried out. “The air squadron is ready,” sources claimed. These officials said that entry points to Buner from Swabi, Malakand and other districts would be pounded. “Forces will also attack their positions in Sultanwas, Pir Baba, Swarai and other areas.”

The inspector general of FC was on Monday reported to have said that militants were holding sway on 10 to 15 per cent areas of Buner. Some commanders from Swat, sources said, were leading the militants in Buner. The sources believed majority of the militants had come from Swat while they had also recruited locals in their militia. “Militants strength is between 700 and 800,” the sources said.

They also hinted at resumption of military operation in Swat valley. “Militants are not honouring the peace agreement. The armed patrol, display of arms and their other activities continue. We want the militants to stop all these activities to keep the word they have given in the peace agreement,” the sources said. However, if they did not mend their way, sources said, action would be launched to defeat them.

“The forces have already started Tor Tandar operation in Lower Dir. We will engage them in Dir, Buner and Swat simultaneously to not allow them space to move. We will eliminate them,” sources claimed.

Full-scale military operation likely in Buner

 

[Bill Longley]

MINGORA (Shehzad Alam): Security forces on Tuesday launched a fresh operation against Taliban militants in Swat and Buner, reported ARY OneWorld.

According to the channel, militants’ hideouts were targeted with cannon fire while aerial attacks were also carried out in various areas of the two districts. Jet fighters were overflying Swat district.

However, it is unclear yet in which areas the operation is being carried out.

Curfew has been imposed on Buner-Mardan road, it was reported.

Earlier, Taliban had stepped up their activities in Swat valley after the security forces operation in Lower Dir region.

Taliban have started armed patrolling and building checkposts at different points, while a police mobile was also ambushed in Behrain area of Swat early Tuesday in which a policeman was wounded and another reported missing.

Police had vacated its checkpoint in Behrain after the clash.
Military launches fresh operation in Swat,4/28/2009 5:08:26 PM

 

[ajpirzada]

i wasnt expactin it to happen this early. thought gov will first crack down on talibans in buner and then swat

 

[Bill Longley]

they were marching towards kalam, distroying national property
they them selves asked for this operation

IshaAllah these yazeeds of modern days will fall soon

Long live Pak Army
Long Live Islam

 

[ajpirzada]

they were marching towards kalam, distroying national property
they them selves asked for this operation

IshaAllah these yazeeds of modern days will fall soon

Long live Pak Army
Long Live Islam

inshAllah

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

We should not let them go this time. We should compleetely destroy these talibans once and for all.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Military operation launched in Buner
​

​

DAGGAR: A major military operation was launched in Buner against Taliban militants on Tuesday, DawnNews reports.

Explosions were heard as gunship helicopters pounded militant strongholds in the mountains. A curfew was imposed in the district, Buner’s District Police Officer (DPO) told DawnNews.

Local Taliban also blew up the main bridge in Buner’s Ambala area.

Maj. Nasir Khan says ground troops also are preparing to enter Buner district Tuesday, AP adds.

Separately, NWFP Governor Owais Ghani said despite repeated warnings, militants were not leaving the district.

DAWN.COM | NWFP | Military operation launched in Buner

 

[ajpirzada]

‘Army launches major offensive in Buner’: DG ISPR
Updated at: 1833 PST, Tuesday, April 28, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Director-General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas said on Tuesday that the government would not allow anyone to violate writ of the state adding that a major offensive has been lauched to flush out militants from Buner.

Addressing a press briefing here, Major General Athar Abbas said that security forces extended an offensive against Taliban militants to Buner district, around 100 km (60 miles) north of the capital Islamabad.

"The aim of the offensive is to eliminate and expel militants from Buner," Abbas said

‘Army launches major offensive in Buner’: DG ISPR - GEO.tv

 

[ajpirzada]

i hope this time no major political party comes fwd and starts criticising the operation. if it does happen, this military operation will be of no use

 

[ajpirzada]

btw lower dir operation has come to an end accordin to ISPR

The operation aims to eliminate militants who had faked their exit from the area, Director-General ISPR Athar Abbas told DawnNews, adding that the operation in Lower Dir has been completed.

DAWN.COM | NWFP | Government launches major military operation in Buner

 

[TOPGUN]

Trash cleaning up time is finally here i hope its here to stay time to get rid of these bastards! i wonder wat jet fighters were used as said in the news? anyhow iam glad its clean up time