No disrespect but r u suggesting we keep quiet everytime some country attacks inside our airspace, r we a sovereign country or just a country on paper, we have rights, its our armies job to protect us from all threats local and foreign, be it even china or the US
Let me just clarify,
Quotes from the Armed forces
I will quote a response from ACM Rao Qamer Suleman. When asked by media reporters about dealing with the American drone attacks & PAFs ability to take them down he responded.
Our defence forces definitely have the capability to shoot these drones down. But when we do. Next time they might come with fighter escort. Engaging them will mean an air war. And this is something that the government has to decide if the state of Pakistan should to declare a war with USA. If the government decides then we will engage them.
IGFC Gen Tariq was asked the similar question in a different occasion on his reaction to the drone attacks to which he said more or less the same thing.
I, as a soldier of Pakistan army dont like that someone else coming in my country engaging targets. We can shoot them down but that decision has to come from the government of Pakistan.
How we feel
I know there were some emotional responses to my original post. Let me elaborate if that was not clear before. I explained it on other thread re- US apology I will say again.
No soldier or civilian likes to see and stand quietly while US drones fire hellfire missiles where the kill ratio is 1 terrorist out of 10 deaths. The targeted bombardment on the Pakistani check posts is even more severe because it raises a lot of emotions & brings the whole partnership claim into question. Thats why Pak interior minister was very right in saying we have to decide if we are friends or enemies. The continued NATO actions dont help with the notion of partnership/ allies.
Investigation & future
I think the initial investigations are done and they clearly show that NATO forces were to blame for the attack. They were more trigger happy rather than going through a proper protocol and rules of engagement. (thats what distinguishes a horde of terrorists and a world class professional army).
Mind you, NATO in general and US in particular is not very generous in apologising when it comes to such situations no matter how damning the evidence is. So this apology should be taken at its face value. The only take away is that ISAF shows equal or more enthusiasm in perusing and engaging the targets within Afghanistan for which it is mandated to operate than waiting for the terrorists to escape into Pakistan and repeat such incidents.
As a civilian I find it hard to believe that the Pakistani check posts are not clearly marked on the NATO interactive and conventional maps of the area. I refuse to accept that a well established check post with a Pakistani flag flying can be confused with a bunch of runaway terrorists hiding behind rocks
Following picture is just for illustration about what I mean. I am sure many of you have seen proper built up posts with flags flying on roof tops.
http://pakistankakhudahafiz.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/1.jpg?w=450
if ( a big IF) ever the video or audio footage of that firing incident by NATO is made public I am sure there will be something very incriminating. I cant help my self but to think that criminal charges should be brought up against them. Karan challenged me on the other hand that Pakistani troops must have said something like lets teach them a lesson before they got blown up by missiles. But I beg to differ because our troops dont engage without orders. Specially firing with rifles at the attack choppers that are immune to sustained 23mm cannon fire is not something that can be attributed to the intent of teaching a lesson.
By the way shooting at copters is the version of NATO pilots. What really happened is unknown. When these pilots cant recognise a distress flair, confuse orange panels and video cameras with rocket launchers then what hope did soldiers of that ill fated check post had. (I am quoting friendly & civilian deaths at the hands of US pilots in the past, yes drawing a parallel with Iraq. Will quote a reaction of a Canadian officer after the deaths of Canadian soldiers who died in Afghanistan at the hands of US pilots who said that it looked like the US pilot was too much impressed with Top Gun movie) it might appear that I am contradicting my earlier argument about marked/ known Pakistani posts but actually I am questioning the intensions and capabilities of the NATO pilots. moving on
Blame Game & war of words
Sadly, such is a partnership of Pakistan and US that whenever there is a setback to NATO forces in Afghanistan or attack on Pakistani troops by ISAF. It shortly follows with revelations and leaks about Pakistans double game. Some unknown Taliban commander will accuse ISI of organising attacks against NATO troops. The post dated video footage of Pakistan armys summary executions (innocent timing coincidence?). Followed by comments from experts specially handpicked by the western media who are known to have special grudge against Pakistan.
Once the story dies down it is followed by a scripted and soulless comment by US that how much importance they give to Pakistan in the war against terror. Until another such incident plays out.
Covert operations & drones
One of the most favourite catch phrase of anti-Pakistan commentators is that Pakistan is not doing enough, is being selective, the ISI is supporting/ forcing Taliban to attack NATO troops etc.
One should then ask what are those stooges doing in tribal areas known as US private contractors or special forces? Why dont they DO ENOUGH that doesnt involve killing civilians. Why dont the operators of drones make enough effort to kill more terrorist instead of killing civilians? There is nothing special about them is it? Why not they for once be blamed? Why does the American tax payer has to pay for their continued failure and Pakistanis with their lives?
Afghan Private contractors
BBC News - Afghan security contractors 'fund Taliban'
While I write these comments. The stories of US private contractors is out who are funding Taliban. What more is there to say? Oh wait northern alliance will have a comment ready to blame ISI yea?
It is so much frustrating and comically infuriating that I sometimes feel like slapping the northern alliance leadership, likes of Abdullah Abdullah and Gen Fahim so hard and as many times on their faces as much they have been blaming ISI from 2000 to date for every failure in governing post Taliban Afghanistan. Their treachery, their incompetence, their corruption and mind boggling stubborn stupidity is horrifying for everyone who is unfortunate to deal with them directly or indirectly. I do sometimes feel sorry for Americans who have to deal with these Afghan Tajiks and Uzbeks who have a legendary reputation for their duality & deceit. US defeat in Afghanistan will have more to do with these cunning characters than the Taliban or ISI bogeyman
Our options
Work together with NATO forces for better communication & coordination in combating terrorists who operate along both sides of the border. To avoid any unintentional engagement.
Hot pursuit & rules of engagement should be clearly spelt out. Halting at the borders and informing Pakistan to engage the terrorists. If Pakistani forces fail to do so then NATO has the right to complain.
If the NATO remains ambiguous or obnoxious then Pakistan should raise the issue in UN (for all its worth)
Deploy anti aircraft batteries, fly CAP missions & put the NATO supply to complete halt.
Pakistan government makes a clear policy and instructs if armed forces accordingly.
The time of getting loans written off, Swiss accounts & off shore luxury properties is over.
Possible Outcomes/ Escalation
When the next such incident does happen. The Government has to make the call. It cant be half hearted. Our forces will do what they are trained to do. Our soldiers dont have the luxury of suing the government for post traumatic stress like in UK and US. They will do what they can, given what resources they have. The outcome and political fallout is the worry of the government.
I find it really hard to believe that having a copter or drone shot down, the NATO forces wont retaliate. It will be the test of both US and Pakistan military and civilian leadership to resolve the crises. The real test will be how successful both are not to resemble like two opposing drug cartels or Taliban.
But the real war will be on the media and international forum. Where Pakistan has to sell its side of story with the facts and how a partner in war on terror became a target itself.
In the end, the international relations among nations, especially when one is very weak are never based on fairness or justice. Its all about how much a stronger nation can squeeze out the other nation. Its all about self interests. Pakistan can only bank on itself with internal unity and then turning the silent or neutral spectators into possible allies who would actively object and oppose US aggression on Pakistan. International support will mainly depend on how well Pakistani foreign office and media plays the media war and conveys its view point to the rest of the world.
Bottom Line
Both countries behave & work like civilised nations and avoid any filamentary remarks that could fan the hatred and lead to an open conflict.
I will finish my post with a famous quote strife is the sign of lesser intelligence its down to US (mostly) and Pakistani (to some extent) leadership to decide how much or less they intent to resemble with their primate/ ape cousins.
trying to form an alliance with a common and dangerous enemy. Pakistan is offering manpower, supply routes, staging areas. The U.S. is offering manpower, equipment, flood aid, economic help. Do we flush this down the toilet now? Is it time to open fire, get down and dirty over a sad friendly-fire episode?
"thatz is call a bhal muje maar"
