Pakistan Army | News and Discussions

[fatman17]

Country Risk

Military intervention has reduced terrorism risks in Karachi but allowed Pakistan's military to consolidate influence over policy direction

Omar Hamid - IHS Jane's Intelligence Review

08 September 2015

Pakistan's former federal minister, Dr Asim Hussain, was taken to an anti-terrorism court in Karachi on 27 August. Paramilitary troops, also known as Rangers, allege that Hussain was involved in terrorism-related activities, as well as embezzlement. Source: PA

EVENT

On 25 August, paramilitary Rangers arrested Asim Hussain, a former federal minister and close confidante of ex-president Asif Zardari, on charges of corruption and facilitating terrorism.

The operation in Karachi against criminals and militant elements has been underway for several months, and is part of the army's ongoing strategy to target militant groups across the country. Since June 2014, when the army launched the primary thrust of its operation in North Waziristan, subsequent operations have also kicked off in Karachi and Balochistan. The Karachi operation has been the most politically challenging, as the Rangers have targeted not only Islamist groups, but also the militant wings of the city's biggest political parties, the Muttehida Quami Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP). Both parties have vociferously denied maintaining armed wings. According to an IHS source, the operation has led to a massive reduction in crimes like kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and political assassinations, crimes where traditionally the involvement of political militias has often been alleged. At a recent press conference, the city's police chief claimed that there had been a 70% reduction in crime in the past year.

Key Points

While the Rangers, backed by the army, have been arresting militants alleged to have been affiliated with major political parties in Karachi for some months, Hussain is the first major politician to be charged with terrorism offences.

While a coup is increasingly unlikely in the one-year outlook, the army is expanding its influence over policy areas that are wider than its traditional interest in foreign affairs, defence and security policy.

 

[fatman17]

Pakistan army wins Gold Medal in prestigious Cambrian Patrol held in UK; India secures Silver


Pakistan Army has won the Gold Medal in the prestigious Cambrian Patrol held in the UK beating around 140 teams, the award is shared with the New Zealand Army, whereas, Indian Army has secured silver.



Soldiers from around the world descended on Wales for their toughest military test yet – Exercise Cambrian Patrol.



The international patrolling exercise, an annual event organized and run by 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales, is both physically and mentally demanding and is a highlight in the British Army’s training calendar.



Internationally, it’s regarded as one of the toughest tests the modern-day soldier can face and some overseas entrants have to claim the right to take part by winning their own domestic competition.



This year’s exercise, Friday October 16 – Sunday October 25, have seen Bosnia taking part for the first time, aiming to navigate their way through some of the harshest terrain in the Welsh Black Mountains.



Patrol commanders were given a set of orders based on a specific scenario, for onward briefing to members of their patrol before they are taken to a number of drop-off points in the hills.



The exercise is split into seven phases with soldiers marching a mind-and-muscle sapping 55km carrying full personal kit and equipment, weighing in at some 60lbs, on the two-day patrolling mission.



Navigating both by day and night, the patrols face many testing and specialist challenges, including observation and reconnaissance of enemy forces, cold river crossings in full kit without access to boats, first-aid and an enemy attack. At the completion of the exercise each patrol faces a comprehensive debriefing session on their mission.



Military skills, stamina and dedication are constantly evaluated during the patrol and marked with a system of points. Teams that successfully complete their mission are awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal or certificate of merit, depending on the total number of points they have gained.



Exercise Cambrian Patrol began in 1959, when a group of Welsh Territorial Army soldiers designed a weekend training event featuring long-distance marching over the Cambrian Mountains and culminating in a shooting match on the Sennybridge training area.



On arriving at the assembly area, teams are subjected to a thorough check to ensure that they are in possession of the correct kit, equipment and clothing required for the exercise.



This year there was a record number of international patrols, with teams from New Zealand, Poland, Pakistan, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Australia, Holland, Ireland, India, Canada, Chile, Brazil, The Royal Army of Oman, USA, Poland, Switzerland, Lithuania, Nepal and Georgia all represented.

 

[fatman17]

Air Platforms

Pakistan claims first ever night-time attack using indigenously built UAV

Farhan Bokhari, Islamabad - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

25 October 2015

Pakistan's armed forces claimed on 22 October to have successfully carried out the first ever night-time attack on a Taliban target using the indigenously built Burraq unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

It followed Pakistan's claim on 7 September that it carried out the first ever UAV attack on a Taliban location using the Burraq, although that attack was conducted during the day.

The inter-services public relations (ISPR) directorate of the armed forces stated in an announcement on 22 October, "Several militants were killed during the strike. It was first night strike by Burraq with pinpoint accuracy." A precise location for the attack was not given, although the announcement said it was carried out in South Waziristan: a region adjacent to Pakistan's border with Afghanistan with a strong Taliban presence.

 

[fatman17]

WARFARE

Border Post Attack Kills Pakistani Paramilitary Soldiers

By Usman Ansari

NOOR MOHAMMAD/AFP

Afghan security personnel patrol a street in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, on Oct. 21 after panicked residents fled when the Taliban stormed an outlying neighborhood.

ISLAMABAD — At least seven Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were killed Tuesday by fire from across the Afghan-Pakistan border in a suspected Taliban attack highlighting the continued inability of Kabul and Islamabad to deal with the militants.

A press release by the Pakistan military's media branch, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), claimed heavy fire from across the border early Tuesday morning on the Frontier Corps (FC) check post northeast of Angoor Adda in South Waziristan had resulted in seven fatalities.

South Waziristan had been a long-time Pakistan Taliban (TTP) stronghold, but they were forced out by the Pakistan military and fled into neighboring North Waziristan. Their remnants are currently engaged in fierce fighting with government forces in the rugged and heavily forested Shawwal Valley as the military tries to evict them as part of the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb counter-terrorist campaign.

Many TTP members, their allies and affiliates slipped across the border into Afghanistan, however. Though their permanent re-entry into Pakistan is frustrated by the presence of the FC and regular Army stationed along the border, they now appear to be attacking from across the border at will.

"I suspect these sort of cross-border attacks by the TTP and fellow ideological travelers will be something that, unfortunately, the Pakistan state will have to live with for the foreseeable future," said Claude Rakisits, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center.

"The Pakistan military has done an excellent job hunting down the myriad of terrorist groups, degrading their capability and disrupting their network since June last year when military operations in South Waziristan and other parts of [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] began. And this has been reflected by the very significant decrease in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan," he said.

"Unfortunately, terrorism in general can never be completely eliminated; it can only be managed and contained at levels acceptable to the civilian population. Moreover, in the case of Pakistan, this issue is complicated by the rugged and difficult nature of the terrain along the Afghan-Pakistan border which makes it an ideal environment for terrorists and insurgents to operate," he added.

How to counter these attacks, therefore, seems to be something for which there is no ready answer.

Rakisits said he believes that it "would be in Kabul's long-term interest to try to stop these raids; given the poor state of bilateral relations, it is unlikely that President Ashraf Ghani is going to dedicate resources in helping Pakistan on this issue when he already has his hands full trying to deal with terrorist attacks against targets in his own country."

Brian Cloughley, analyst and former Australian defense attache to Islamabad, said the Afghan military is not up to the task and the Taliban are fighting a determined classic insurgent campaign.

"The [Afghan National Army] is in a bad way and is incapable of patrolling the border region effectively — even if Kabul wants it to, which might be questionable," he said. "The Taliban have adopted the classic tactics of insurgents, straight out of Mao's guidebook. Kunduz was a prime example," he added, in reference to the recent Taliban capture of the northern Afghan city.

Air power has been a decisive factor on the Pakistani side of the border, but analyst and former Air Force pilot Kaiser Tufail said this is not an option in this case.

"Striking terrorist sanctuaries inside Afghanistan is not an option due to the diplomatic fallout, as well as setting a precedent which India would not hesitate to follow, if it wanted to conduct similar punitive raids inside Pakistan," he said.

This only leaves ground-based heavy weaponry as a possible response, but in this case Cloughley said, "The FC might not have had the ability to call in artillery fire."

"Some [FC] are trained as forward observers; there's no problem there, and usually there is artillery within range of patrols — but not always. The bases right on the border usually have mortars, and there are 105s and 155s further back. But obviously the entire line can't be covered all the time," he said.


Email: uansari@defensenews.com

 

[fatman17]

Cambrian Patrol 2015 Gold Medal

 

[fatman17]

Nasser Khan Janjua


The Secretariat of the National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Prime Minister has been moved to the PM Office (PMO) with immediate effect and Lt Gen (r) Nasser Khan Janjua who was appointed for the slot last week has established his office on 5th floor of the PMO.

He has assumed his office in the PMO. The chamber of the prime minister is also situated on the same floor. Previously the NSA was working from the Foreign Office.

Well-placed sources said yesterday that the NSA who will be heading the National Security Committee (NSC) and would play proactive role in executing its functions forthwith since its new chief has vast experience of dealing with the security affairs.

His last assignment was Commander of Southern Command based in Quetta and in that capacity he did remarkable job in eliminating insurgents and terrorists from the most complex areas of Balochistan.

A distinguished diplomat and security expert Haji Mohamed Sadiq who is a senior officer of grade 22 would continue to perform as Secretary of the NSC. He had a detailed meeting with the new NSA to brief him about the working of the committee, the sources said.

 

[fatman17]

Nasser Khan Janjua


The Secretariat of the National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Prime Minister has been moved to the PM Office (PMO) with immediate effect and Lt Gen (r) Nasser Khan Janjua who was appointed for the slot last week has established his office on 5th floor of the PMO.

He has assumed his office in the PMO. The chamber of the prime minister is also situated on the same floor. Previously the NSA was working from the Foreign Office.

Well-placed sources said yesterday that the NSA who will be heading the National Security Committee (NSC) and would play proactive role in executing its functions forthwith since its new chief has vast experience of dealing with the security affairs.

His last assignment was Commander of Southern Command based in Quetta and in that capacity he did remarkable job in eliminating insurgents and terrorists from the most complex areas of Balochistan.

A distinguished diplomat and security expert Haji Mohamed Sadiq who is a senior officer of grade 22 would continue to perform as Secretary of the NSC. He had a detailed meeting with the new NSA to brief him about the working of the committee, the sources said.

 

[fatman17]

The new NSA

 

[black-hawk_101]

Why not PA buys used British/ German/ French/ Italian or even Spanish Tanks or even from Sweden.

 

[milen]

I found how informative you are, and thus i followed your updates.

 

[fatman17]

WARFARE

Pakistan Army Chief: Finish the Job Against the Taliban

By Usman Ansari

RIZWAN TABASSUM/AFP

Pakistani policemen take positions at the destroyed hideouts of Taliban militants in Karachi in August.


ISLAMABAD — Ahead of a trip to Washington, Pakistan's Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif has sounded the alarm over the lack of follow-up by the government to secure hard-won benefits from the military's operation against the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).

Sharif was speaking on Monday during a corps Commanders Conference at Army HQ in Rawalpindi. A statement by the military's Inter Services Public Relations media branch said Sharif "underlined the need for matching/complementary governance initiatives for long-term gains of operation and enduring peace across the country. Progress of National Action Plan’s implementation, finalization of [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] reforms, and concluding all ongoing [joint investigation teams] at priority, were highlighted as issues, which could undermine the effects of operations."

The National Action Plan is a 20-point endeavor put in place by the government in January after the December 2014 TTP attack on a school in Peshawar that saw 145 killed (132 children) and 114 injured.

Among other measures it aimed to provide a holistic approach to combating terrorism by implementing a series of criminal justice and financial reforms allowing for the curtailment of hate speech and organizations, raising new counterterrorism units, and improving the access to communications traffic available to the intelligence services.

However, measures to clamp down on banned organizations, hate speech and terrorism financing, and the planned reform of religious schools, have not met with the desired progress.


Completing investigations into terrorism cases by the Joint Investigation Teams and much-needed improvements in governance in cleared areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are cause for particular concern, analysts said.

Under these circumstances Claude Rakisits, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center, says Sharif's concern is unsurprising.

"It is a well-known fact in the counterterrorism business that, unless civilian administrators immediately implement governance plans, such as rebuilding destroyed schools, hospitals and other social services at the end of a military operation, all the hard-won gains made by the military can very quickly disappear," he said.

Adding, "While it is very important to diminish the terrorist and insurgence threat by degrading the fighters' military capability, it is probably just as important, if not more, to deal with the civilian population which has to return to those areas which have been devastated by the fighting.

"Accordingly, the basic societal needs of the general population, which has been fundamentally traumatized, displaced and probably physically hurt, must be met quickly, effectively and with compassion. Not to do so would lead to an already dissatisfied population possibly longing for the days before the military operations."

But in this realm, the military has little influence, Rakisits said.

Very familiar with the areas where the anti-TTP operations are ongoing, analyst, author, and former Australian defense attache Brian Cloughley agrees the military is limited in what it can do, but highlights the issue of religious schools.

"The Army can't be blamed for being frustrated over the failure to get tough about madrassas," he said.

"It's in some of these that viciously extremist clergy — or what passes for clergy — pass on their warped views about what religion requires. They have enormous influence, and the government knows this, but [Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif] is scared to take action."

He believes the prime minister fears a repetition of the bloody 2007 operation to clear the Red Mosque in the heart of Islamabad of terrorists, after which there was a massive upswing in terrorist attacks.

But "This would be no bad thing, in fact, as it would rally much of the population," he said.

He also believes an additional "main failure is the inability [or unwillingness] to install civilian administrations in areas from which extremists have been removed.

"It is scandalous that this has not yet been effected in Swat, for example, and the Army sees a rerun in the 'Waziristans' and elsewhere in FATA, when, after suffering hundreds of soldiers killed and thousands wounded, they succeed in eliminating the insurgents," he said.

The military is "happy enough to build roads and bridges, or even administer social affairs, for a short time, but consider it is the job of the central government to select, train and support civilians for civilian jobs."

Though the military cannot do much about the situation, Rakisits says, Sharif publicly voicing his concern sends a signal to the general population "that the military will have fulfilled its side of the bargain and if things go bad again on the terrorist front it will be because the civilians will have dropped the ball on their side of the court."

In many ways, he said, Sharif "is right to prepare the population for such an eventuality" and worries that his public comments "must mean that there is a very strong possibility that this scenario could eventuate."

He does not think Sharif has anything to lose by voicing his concerns in such a manner, but adds there may be another audience.

"Given his military success on the ground, he's probably the most popular man in Pakistan; he's a hero in the eyes of thousands. Moreover, as he will be visiting Washington very soon, it doesn't hurt to prepare the diplomatic groundwork before his meeting with his American counterparts.

"Don't forget, he does have a shopping list of military hardware he would like the Obama administration to agree to during his stay. So the better the military image, the higher the chances of a successful visit on all fronts."

Due to Sharif moving against the Taliban, Mansoor Ahmed, Stanton nuclear security junior faculty fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center and expert on Pakistan's nuclear deterrent, says he will be well received in Washington.

However, he says the US side is likely to want to "discuss Pakistan's tactical nuclear weapon program and evolving force posture, in addition to India's involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan."

Email: uansari@defensenews.com

 

[fatman17]

MS Certified

Handing Over Ceremony of Bridge Erection Boats to Pakistan Army



Handing Over ceremony of first batch of 7 Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) to Pakistan Army was held at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KS&EW) on 15 Oct. 2015. Federal Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by high ranking officials from Federal Government, Government of Sindh, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy, KPT, PQA and KS&EW.

On the occasion, the Chief Guest in his address appreciated timely delivery of the first batch of Bridge Erection Boats by KS&EW. He said that the zealous efforts of KS&EW and Pak Army will significantly contribute in achieving the national goal of self reliance. Furthermore, he also appreciated and recognized the efforts of KS&EW in overcoming the challenges of advanced technologies in shipbuilding sector, along with its consistent improvements in the infrastructure and quality of workmanship. Moreover, he appreciated the financial performance of KS&EW in past year during which substantial profits and taxes have been posted.

DG MVRDE Maj Gen Muhammad Muazzam Ali HI(M) in his address appreciated the quality of workmanship along with professional approach and facilitation extended to Army teams by Karachi Shipyard. He further said that Pakistan Army is planning to place further orders of 80 boats to KS&EW in the near future.

Earlier, MD KS&EW, Real Admiral Syed Hasan Nasir Shah HI(M) in his welcome address said that KS&EW is continuously striving to shape itself into a dynamic and progressive organization. KS&EW had delivered similar boats to Pakistan Army in early 80s. As compared to the previous ones, these boats have advanced machinery. He highlighted that successful deliveries of 4th F-22P Frigate, 2nd Fast Attack Missile Craft, one 32 Ton and three 12 Tons bollard pull tugs also symbolize our landmark achievements. Karachi shipyard has re-launched itself in heavy general engineering sector and is regularly receiving orders. KS&EW and its workforce are committed to deliver high quality platforms and services to the utmost satisfaction of the end users.

 

[fatman17]

Press Release
Rawalpindi - September 3 2014
Update Op Zarb-e-Azb
(03 Sep 2014)

Operation Zarb –e- Azb is progressing as per plan. Since start of the operation 910 x Terrorists have been killed

1. 88 x KM long Road, Khajuri-Mirali-Miranshah-Dattakhel and Road Ghariom-Jhallar have been cleared. So far security forces have cleared major towns of Miranshah, Mirali, Datta Khel, Boya and Degan, which were considered strong holds of terrorists.
2. As many as 27 x IEDs Factories, 1x Rocket and 1 x Ammunition factory have been recovered and destroyed.
3. Huge cache of arms and ammunition, communication equipment, and other logistics facilities, used by Terrorists have been destroyed uprooting their ability to attack as a coherent force. 2274 x Intelligence led coordinated counter terrorism operations across the country have been carried out throughout the country to forestall any blow back of operation. 42 x Terrorists have been killed and apprehanded 114 hardcore terrorists in these Operations.
4. Since start of operation 82 x soldiers have embraced Shahadat in entire country while fighting against terrorism while 269 x are injured. The details of 82 shaheed soldiers include, 42 in North Waziristan Agency, 23 in rest of FATA other than North Waziristan Agency and 17 x in remaining parts of the country including Balochistan and Karachi.
5. Meanwhile relief operation for Temporarily Dislocated people (TDPs) of North Waziristan Agency, continues to help our brethren from North Waziristan with full zest and zeal
6. 19376 x Tons rations have been distributed among 97570 x TDPs families at 6 x relief delivery points so far at Bannu,DI khan and Tank.
7. 113209 x patients including 32979 x female have been treated at field medical hospital established by Army medical Corps at Khalifa Gul Nawaz hospital Bannu.
8. 32226 x cattle have been treated so far where as 73338 x cattle and 129141 x poultry vaccinated up till now.

 

[true patriot]

dear brothers AOA today i underwent my 137 long course initials medical test everything went fine except for my elbow the doctor referred me to CMH for the xray of my elbow because of very slight bending of my elbow the reports will come on monday what do u guys say should i be concerned about it ??

 

[Rashid Mahmood]

German Defence Minister, Mrs Ursula Von der Leyen called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, today at GHQ.

During meeting a wide range of issues including defence cooperation, regional security and emerging geo-strategic environment were discussed. German Defence Minister appreciated the phenomenal successes of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Pakistani security forces.

Earlier, on arrival at GHQ, Defence Minister Mrs Ursula von der Leyen laid floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the Guard of Honour to the visiting dignitary.

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