Shawal Valley: The last frontier in Zarb - e - Azab!

[Kao Boy]

Since there is a deal of Intelligence sharing between Afghanistan and Pakistan this would help to eliminate TTP or else they would cross border to flee and will come back once forces withdraws...

What say??

Why waving China flag on this topic?

 

[Raheel Khan_1]

After 7-8 years we have managed to decrease terrorism. This operation should have been done long time ago . Its refreshing to see no bomb blasts every day . This year is already turning out to be the best in terms of less bomb blasts Since 2007 .

 

[M.SAAD]

Bloody cockroaches Jihadi ***** Talibans back has broken .


Hopefully, Peace will return to Pakistan

 

[RabzonKhan]

If you have been following Zarb - e - Azab closely, you know that the end is near. The Army is currently gearing up for the last stage of their ground operation which will be to clear the dreaded Shawal Valley in North Waziristan.

The final phase will be focused in the areas south of Dattakhel towards the Afghan border through the mountainous, where a large number of militants are believed to have taken refuge after fleeing the operation in other parts of North Waziristan.

I've tried to gather some information on this last frontier but i'm hoping we can use this topic as a form of discussion to learn what makes this valley so unique and tough to overcome. We all know how tough it was for the army to clear Tirah and some experts are claiming that Shawal will be even harder.

For starters, the rough location of the valley is shown below. The area is very close to the Afghanistan border.

The Shawal Valley, which is thought to be administered by Taliban commander Hafiz Gul Bahadar and spans both North and South Waziristan, is a known haven for al Qaeda and other terror groups operating in the region. A number of Taliban, Pakistani, and foreign terrorist groups gather in the Shawal Valley.

The area is also a stronghold of Khan "Sajna" Said, a leader of a Taliban faction.

The US has launched 26 drone strikes in the Shawal Valley since September 2010, according to data compiled by The Long War Journal. The last of which occurred in early June.

Some questions for the other members of PDF:

1. Do we know how many soldiers will participate in this last stage?
2. Are the ANA working in conjunction with us because what if the miscreants just run to the other side of the border when the OP starts?
3. Will we be utilizing our newest missile laden drone in this operation?

Some pictures of the rough terrain involved

Best of luck to our Jawans! May Allah take care of each one of his warriors!

@fatman17 @Bratva @FalconsForPeace @Side-Winder @Horus @IRFAN ALI BALOCH

It seems you did some research, but I don’t know why you forgot to mention the most powerful terrorist organization the Haqqani network?! Gul Bahadur is just a Haqqani boot licker.

Shawal Valley is a stronghold of Haqqani network, Badruddin Haqqani, the son of Haqqani network's founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani was killed by the American drone in 2012 there and the kidnapped American soldier, Bowe Bergdahl the scumbag traitor was kept there by the Haqqani kidnappers.

 

[A.M.]

It seems you did some research, but I don’t know why you forgot to mention the most powerful terrorist organization the Haqqani network?! Gul Bahadur is just a Haqqani boot licker.

Shawal Valley is a stronghold of Haqqani network, Badruddin Haqqani, the son of Haqqani network's founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani was killed by the American drone in 2012 there and the kidnapped American soldier, Bowe Bergdahl the scumbag traitor was kept there by the Haqqani kidnappers.

Haqqanis aren't being targeted so what's the point in mentioning them?

 

[DV RULES]

Correct your map, This is Kurram Agency area of Parachinar pointed out not Shawal Valley which is downward.

 

[A.M.]

The operation is finally on, here are some highlights:

1. The operation is expected to taken up to 45 days to finish.
2. Following the operation, PA will be right at the border with Afghanistan and will hold it's position until 2019.
3. 15 miscreants were killed in the initial round of airstrikes.
4. Fighter Jets and Cobras will be used primarily to flush out the terrorists from the valley.

 

[Kabira]

Wait a minute, another last operation? Didn't PA start operation to clear last area couple of months ago?

 

[In arduis fidelis]

Wait a minute, another last operation? Didn't PA start operation to clear last area couple of months ago?

Apparently they stopped outside shawal valley due to lack of intelligence on the given area plus lack of knowledge on local topography.They must have rectified the situation now.
Mind you this area hasn't been accessed by the Pakistani Forces after 2001 hence lack of local knowledge.

 

[Tipu7]

General Raheel Sharif leaves for Shawal Valley - Pakistan - Dunya News

@Horus @Oscar @RAMPAGE @balixd @Neutron @WAJsal @MaarKhoor @Zarvan

bros................. can any one describe what make Shiwal valley so different from others? Why it is taking so much time to clear........? Its been more than half year we are listening about operation in this valley.................. can any one sum up entire Zarb e Azb operation?

 

[Maarkhoor]

General Raheel Sharif leaves for Shawal Valley - Pakistan - Dunya News

@Horus @Oscar @RAMPAGE @balixd @Neutron @WAJsal @MaarKhoor @Zarvan

bros................. can any one describe what make Shiwal valley so different from others? Why it is taking so much time to clear........? Its been more than half year we are listening about operation in this valley.................. can any one sum up entire Zarb e Azb operation?

Valley surrounded from all three sides by hostile forces and P.A faces great difficulty...they have to keep enemy engage from all three side front, left and right...that's is why it took little more time to clear and secure it.

 

[Bratva]

Wait a minute, another last operation? Didn't PA start operation to clear last area couple of months ago?

That operation was to capture high peaks in and around Shawal valley. It took 2-3 months to capture shawal valley peaks and there was no ground operation during august-october assault and then winter seats in. Now the winter is gone, they are going to launch full scale ground assault in Shawal and Datta khel.


This is similar to what they did in tirah valley Ops. Captured High peaks in 2014, stopped due to winter and then started ground Ops in Tirah in Feb 2015.

General Raheel Sharif leaves for Shawal Valley - Pakistan - Dunya News

@Horus @Oscar @RAMPAGE @balixd @Neutron @WAJsal @MaarKhoor @Zarvan

bros................. can any one describe what make Shiwal valley so different from others? Why it is taking so much time to clear........? Its been more than half year we are listening about operation in this valley.................. can any one sum up entire Zarb e Azb operation?

Actually Shawal and Datta Khel valleys are very similar to Tirah. Remember we took pretty hugh casualties in last 4-5 years while clearing tirah. Once in 2013 and again back in last year Feb 2015. This layout will give you an idea of shawal and datta khel terrain

The operating taking so long because of two factors. One Securing the high ground and peaks and then second wait out for the winter to go. The battle for shawal actually began in last August. Since we have gained high ground, now we are moving into valley which consist of forests deep ravines like shown above.

And it will be the hardest fight why? Because Air-support in such densely forested areas would close to nill. Take a look at this video. PA cobra engaging TTP uzbek fighters

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It wold be like Vietnam all over again where American troops conducted operation in forest areas. . TTP ambushing advancing troops. PA taking high casualties.

Entering the most difficult phase of operation, says COAS

DAWN.COM — UPDATED FEB 09, 2016 05:18PM

PESHAWAR: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Shareef said Tuesday that the state is entering the most difficult phase of the military operation, while speaking at a special provincial Apex committee meeting held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

“We are in the most difficult phase of the operation after successfully evicting terrorists from their sanctuaries and restoring the writ of the state,” said the army chief.

He elaborated that physically rebuilding the war-damaged areas, resettling of TDPs and eventually establishing an administrative system that focuses on the needs and aspirations of the people will be the most demanding task.

COAS gives go-ahead for final phase of operation in Shawal

MATEEN HAIDER — PUBLISHED ABOUT 9 HOURS AG

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has given the go-ahead for the initiation of the final phase of operation Zarb-i-Azab in the Shawal valley region of North Waziristan.

The go-ahead was given by the army chief during his visit to forward positions of the army in Shawal valley.

The deep and forested ravines of Shawal valley and the area of Data Khel are frequently used infiltration routes used by the militants, the army chief was told.

The last phase of the operation aims to clear the last remnants of the militants from their hideouts in the forested ravines, isolate them and destroy them in detail, while also severing their links to their abettors across the country.

ISPR added that the troops have regrouped, reinforced and have moved to jump-off positions for the final phase.

 

[sady]

Feel the fear in their voices that Cobra evokes in these fuckers! But yes the terrain is highly on their side. I think MI35s with SSG teams together with cobras and other transport heli based ops could have been a good way to go about it in support of regular boots on grounds. The enemy is very cunning and fluid. This video demonstrates how easily you can evade conventional forces. We have very few attack and gunships. Many precious lives of soldiers could have been saved if we had enough of these. Soldiers on ground in their absence utilise either arty fire or even direct fire from tanks in some instances which is inadequate at times due to terrain.

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

Isnt that battle over with?

 

[SQ8]

General Raheel Sharif leaves for Shawal Valley - Pakistan - Dunya News

@Horus @Oscar @RAMPAGE @balixd @Neutron @WAJsal @MaarKhoor @Zarvan

bros................. can any one describe what make Shiwal valley so different from others? Why it is taking so much time to clear........? Its been more than half year we are listening about operation in this valley.................. can any one sum up entire Zarb e Azb operation?

two words

Terrain and border access to Afg.

Easier for reinforcements from Afghanistan to come for the TTP.