Pakistan Air Force's role in combating terrorism

[PAFAce]

I read the following on the BBC and Jang News websites today.

Pakistan has launched air strikes against suspected Taleban hideouts in Buner district, less than 100km (67 miles) from the capital, Islamabad.

The aerial attack in Buner comes as tens of thousands of people have fled their homes in Lower Dir, another area which is seeing heavy fighting.

Hundreds of militants have moved into adjacent regions recently from the Swat Valley, an area they largely control.

Western politicians have expressed concern over Taleban activity there.

The air force's move into Buner marks a widening of the government's offensive against the Taleban.

Military spokesman Athar Abbas said their mission in Buner was to "eliminate and expel" the Taleban from the district.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8022891.stm

Buner operation launched after success in Dir
Updated at: 1845 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 launched 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 military launched an operation at 4:00 pm today, the aim of the offensive is to eliminate and expel militants from Buner”, Abbas said.

He said the army and the Frontier Corps troops have entered Buner and IG FC is overseeing the operation. Abbas said that over 70 militants were killed in Lower Dir operation while 10 security forces personnel were martyred. Abbas said that fighter jets of PAF are also taking part in the operation.

He said over 500 militants, equipped with sophisticated communication system, are holed up in various parts of Buner who are constantly receiving money and arms from unknown sources.

Source: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/updates.asp?id=76132

I believe this is the first time the Air Force has been directly involved in attacks on Taleban. So far, as far as I know, all aerial combat operations have been handled by Army Aviation.

Does anybody have more details about the Air Force's operation? Can anybody tell me more about what the Air Force can do that the Army Aviation cannot achieve? Also, how can the Air Force, arguably our most well-equipped arm, be best utilized for combatting terrorism within Pakistan?

 

[Blackpearl]

PAF may do followwing things
* Aerial recconisance using hi speed jets.
* Starfing and bombing on militant positions.
* Precision strikes on hideouts using LGBs, only when high value targets are available.
* Utilizing UAV squadron for photo recconisance, adjusting artillery fire
* just flying over the area a for Army and local population while intimidating

 

[fatman17]

A-5s from peshawar and F-7s from quetta are being extensively used for CAS in the FATA.

 

[PAFAce]

A-5s from peshawar and F-7s from quetta are being extensively used for CAS in the FATA.

Is this the first time they've been used in the operations in FATA?

 

[fatman17]

Is this the first time they've been used in the operations in FATA?

as and when required! major share of air support is still the PAA Cobras and Bell 412s!