Army Operation In Swat

[khan5036]

By the way it is obvious that independent broadcasters present neutral news as compared to PTV which is totally state run. Everyone knows that BBC is far more reliable than PTV etc.

Rehabilitation is a problem and we must admit it, even Pakistani officials did acknowledge it.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Finally, boots on ground in Swat
​

Finally the army has begun its ground offensive in Swat after days of sniping at the Al Qaeda militants from its helicopter gunships, killing 35 on the first day. Since the army went into the Valley, there has been a steady growth in casualty among the outsider elements and their local supporters. This is a change from the humiliating reversals which the militants inflicted on the paramilitary personnel earlier on, forcing one to come to the conclusion that that phase in Swat had done much to undermine the confidence of the local population and given heart to the planners of Al Qaeda and its Taliban minions to act as if they owned Swat. The beheadings carried out by “foreign-looking” terrorists had nearly convinced the Swatis that a new government had actually come into being, pledging to institutionalise what they had always demanded as “justice without delay”.

One reason why the army delayed going into Swat could be linked to the MMA government of the NWFP which had to first “requisition” the operation. Peshawar had its own angle on Swat, perhaps looking at it as the first instalment of what it wanted to do to the rest of the province through its Hasba Bill. In May this year the MMA government had struck a nine-point “peace deal” with the local warlord Fazlullah in return for his pledge to let Peshawar handle the law and order situation in Swat. He had also agreed to close his centres of training for the militants, end acquisition and manufacture of weapons like the bombs, and had committed to providing troops [sic!] in operations mounted by the province against any “anti-state elements”.

This was, of course, a joke and an eyewash which no one, including the media, tried to question. Fazlullah was given permission to operate his FM radio stations from where he continued to warn the local population against flouting his so-called “sharia laws”. The federal government reacted to this by extending the operation of PEMRA to the PATA area which included Swat and thus rendered the agreement null and void. This aroused Fazlullah to attack anyone playing or listening to music. After he beat up four mechanics in Mingora, workshops of the area shut in protest, something that was soon out of fashion because the warlord was just too powerful to challenge. Fazlullah began his rounds on his legendary black stallion and established his dominion over the usually peace-loving Swatis. As the paramilitaries went into Swat to stop his activities, he called in his friends, the Taliban, from the neighbourhood: South Waziristan, Bajaur and Dir.

Since the army has gone in, the average death rate among the terrorists in Swat has been around 25-30 daily, strangely parallel to the Taliban death rate achieved in Afghanistan by the NATO-ISAF forces these. This is a development of some significance as it is bound to cause anxiety in the Al Qaeda camp where strategy experts like Aiman al-Zawahiri are in the process of creating centres of Al Qaeda in Pakistan to face up to the real challenge of attacking inside the US, a dare that they have not been able to carry out since Al Qaeda struck on 9/11. The hold Al Qaeda has on people like the warlord Fazlullah stems from many factors, not least of which is funding and control of the local economies. Warlord Fazlullah’s father-in-law, the great Sufi Muhammad, was the first religious scholar who legalised what the government of Pakistan thought was smuggling. Now Al Qaeda and its Taliban minions have legalised all kinds of smuggling through taxation, a dangerous trend that may be difficult to roll back if ever Pakistan succeeds in re-establishing its writ in the lost territories.

The Pakistan army, as it operates in Swat, must recognise that the present operation is just the opening of a larger battle front. Some Punjabi veterans of the Kashmir jihad now fighting on the side of Al Qaeda, when interviewed recently, spoke of the fighting in Swat as a part of the grand strategy of “establishing small independent emirates” to be administered by them and their Islamist colleagues in Waziristan, Swat, Bajaur and in Afghanistan. Therefore, for the sake of Pakistan, it is imperative that a politico-military strategy is laid down to defeat this larger Al Qaeda design. One reason this “larger design” has to be opposed is its utopian lack of realism and its total defiance of the dynamic of Pakistan’s survival as a state. But Pakistan can’t go it alone in terms of the funds needed to underpin the on-going military operations. One has to admit that Al Qaeda is much better placed in that respect. Therefore assistance from the rest of the world, including states of the Islamic world, should be made available and accepted if Pakistan shows willingness to fight the war for its survival.

The first highlighted part addresses some of the questions related to who was culpable in allowing the situation to deteriorate to this extent - and the finger points to the MMA.

The second is meant mostly for non-Pakistanis who continue to insist, without any factual basis, that the violence in Swat and FATA is symbolic of a "Pashtun freedom movement". I am by no means suggesting that one editorial settles things, but almost every analysis of the unrest in the Tribal areas over the last couple of years has pointed towards an "extremist religious movement", not a nationalistic one.

The part about accepting aid from Muslim countries would be funny were the reality not tragic - Saudi Arabia continues to fund its extremist and intolerant ideology in Madrassa's the world over - unfortunately they have a rather magnified impact in societies wracked with poverty, cultural regression and injustice, such as Pakistan.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

40 militants, four soldiers dead in Swat clashes​

* Local administration announces relaxation of curfew for four-hour period

By Daud Khattak and Saleem Athar

MINGORA/PESHAWAR: Security forces used artillery and gunship helicopters on pro-Taliban militants in the troubled Swat valley, killing 40 militants, including two commanders, and losing four soldiers, said military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad.

He said another five soldiers had been injured in the operation. Arshad told Daily Times that the hilltops had been cleared, while security forces were now advancing towards areas where the militants had taken refuge.

Swat Media Centre spokesman Amjad Iqbal said two local commanders were among those killed, reported AFP. Commander Khitab Khan was one of the commanders killed, Daily Times learnt. Iqbal said security forces had targeted the hideouts of militants loyal to rebel cleric Maulana Fazlullah throughout Sunday night.

Meanwhile, a statement issued here said security forces destroyed eight vehicles and killed several militants during an operation. The militants’ convoy was destroyed on Bara Bandai-Shakardara Road. Separately, two security personnel were injured in a mortar attack on Kabal Golf Course.

Curfew relaxation: Also on Monday, the local administration announced a four-hour relaxation in curfew from 8am till 12pm. The curfew had been in place since Saturday.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

By the way it is obvious that independent broadcasters present neutral news as compared to PTV which is totally state run. Everyone knows that BBC is far more reliable than PTV etc.

Rehabilitation is a problem and we must admit it, even Pakistani officials did acknowledge it.

It is true the independent channels give a different view, but then, they also have an agenda as the govt channel has!

None should be believed without checking on a variety of sources including foreign channels, even though they all will have their agenda!

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

It is true the independent channels give a different view, but then, they also have an agenda as the govt channel has!

None should be believed without checking on a variety of sources including foreign channels, even though they all will have their agenda!

Agreed!

One only has to look at the vehemence with which the media went after Musharraf, lionizing Nawas Sharif and Bhutto, while conveniently forgetting their past ineptitude, corruption and own attempts at assuming dictatorial powers.

The independent Pakistani media is no different. Their role in inflaming public opinion after Musharraf suspended the CJ (which was a constitutional move taken according to established procedure) indicates their own biases and agenda got in the way of the "objective reporting" they tout so much.

The editorial above also indicates how they played along with the MMA in silently acquiescing to the problems that were festering in Swat - choosing to criticize Musharraf, rather than take a stance against Islamic extremists.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Military seize Swat peak, shut radio​

Updated at 1105 PST
PESHAWAR: Security forces have captured a strategic mountain from militants in the Swat valley and shut down the radio station of Maulana Fazlullah.

According to foreign news agency, the provincial government said security forces had secured more towns and seized Najia Top, the highest peak in a district that has been a stronghold of cleric Maulana Fazlullah.

Residents and state television said Fazlullah's pirate radio station, from which he preaches holy war against the government, had also been shut down.

"The area between Kanju and Najia Top has been successfully secured," the provincial government said in a statement.

Government forces have stepped up their offensive in the area in the past few days, using artillery and helicopter gunships to drive the insurgents out of their mountain strongholds.

Military seize Swat peak, shut radio

I wonder if this means Mullah FM's radio is down for good.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Pakistan military reports big gains in Swat valley ​

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Nov 27 (AFP) - Troops have retaken a strategic peak from militants in the northwest Swat valley and shut down their radio station, officials and residents said Tuesday. The provincial government said security forces had secured more towns and seized Najia Top, the highest peak in Swat's Kabal district which has been a stronghold of cleric Maulana Fazlullah. Chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said 45 militants had been killed in the past two days of clashes alone. Updating an earlier official toll, he said 15 soldiers and 20 civilians had also died since the beginning of last week, with 40 soldiers wounded. “Troops took control of mountains. The militants had bunkers there, they have been evacuated,” he told Dawn News television. “The troops are consolidating their positions and are trying to make sure the militants do not return. The operation will continue in other areas where militants are hiding out.” Arshad estimated the insurgents' strength in the area at around 1,000 and said they were moving about in small groups of a few hundred. Residents and state television said Fazlullah's pirate radio station had been shut down. The local government has now set up its own FM radio station broadcasting programmes in the scenic valley. Officials said troops had seized about half a dozen towns in the past few days, first securing surrounding hilltops and then establishing control of the roads. Militants were reported earlier to be resisting in the Matta, Charbagh and Khawaza Khela areas, but residents said they had disappeared, abandoning bunkers stacked with weapons. Government forces have stepped up their offensive over the past few days, using artillery and helicopter gunships to flush the insurgents out of their mountain strongholds. Clashes since the beginning of last week have left more than 250 militants dead, according to army figures earlier. Officials Monday announced the death of three rebel commanders, including Khan Khatab, a top Fazlullah lieutenant who ran militant operations in Matta and Kabal, scenes of some of the fiercest fighting. (First Posted @ 10:40 PST Updated @ 18:32 PST)

I knew the initial estimates given out by the army were low.

 

[HAIDER]

"but residents said they had disappeared, abandoning bunkers stacked with weapons."
interesting. It look like they have big back up from across the border or some where else.

 

[khan5036]

well what they do is that they mix back within the population (especially the locals), I remember as a child when first militant struggle was started by Tehreek-e-Nifaze Shariah, after Govt. took over the control, locals simply returned back to their villages, even people who were arrested were mostly released.

 

[Cheetah786]

Follow the Money trail today or tommorw if government is Serious about Creating law and order They will have to Go after the So called Muslim states that are pouring in billions to Support Anti pakistan Terrorist.
second MMA should be arrested as anti pakistan and punished accordingly.Any thing else is just waist of time And will bring in no results as Most of these terrorist just walk away from there arms and blend in with civilians.

FOLLOW THE MONEY FOLLOW THE MONEY

 

[jantobanto]

Biggest hurdle in the way! of pakistan army IS USA and its installed undemocratic afghan regime?

afghan goverment, led by HAMID KARAZAI is fully responsible for the increasing terroist activities in pakistan.

by going out of unifrom NOW, MUSHARF can bring down all this crap out of box, SAUDI ARAB in the other hand with its foolish external polices, can be seen as anti- islamic, throughout the muslim world .

kingdom of saudiarabia, increasingly becomming a tool for CIA.

WHATever SAUDIs were doing, is just , being a charactar of CIA invested and paid MOVIE, which canbe seen all around muslim world.

plz, just now, look thier role in the contxet, of on going, midle-east peace talks , they r ready to talks with ISRAEL?

IRANIAN president, telephoned to , king of saudi arabia to stop SAUDI ARABIA ACCEPTING ISRAEAL.
IT is widely , understood that if G.W.BUSH cant, deliver OSAMA BIN LADEN and cant SOLVE MIDILL EAST PROBLEM, republican party cant win next presidential election in USA.


BUSH admin, is in crisses , they need to win, hearts and minds of AMERICANS, who in majorty are against BUSH and its adminstration and its actions in IRAQ, IN AFGHANISTAN and around the world .

what was happaning in pakistan, these days is a well planed statgy to grip -pakistan , for control of HUGE GAS and OIL reserves in central ASIA , in IRAN.
JUST, look at world oil market,,,,,,now????.......new recrded oil price hit ever.
N W FP, province having a very important geo-political location, is the place where CIA, is the most important intersted party.

we, need constant and deep investigations, into the matters in SWAT, I am sure, that there is alot of honey there??????????

thats , good for the time being for us( pakistanis), that SWAT is 70% clean nd now. but in future , we need to prepare for bigger problems and situations like, SWAT.

THANKS TO PAKARMY....?

 

[JK!]

Jantobanto

What is your backup for all these ludicrous claims you make?

I accept that there are nations/forces out there working for their own purposes but seriously half of what you claim can be described as BS.

Also learn the use of the question mark, you have extremely confusing posts.

 

[niaz]

Biggest hurdle in the way! of pakistan army IS USA and its installed undemocratic afghan regime?

afghan goverment, led by HAMID KARAZAI is fully responsible for the increasing terroist activities in pakistan.

by going out of unifrom NOW, MUSHARF can bring down all this crap out of box, SAUDI ARAB in the other hand with its foolish external polices, can be seen as anti- islamic, throughout the muslim world .

kingdom of saudiarabia, increasingly becomming a tool for CIA.

WHATever SAUDIs were doing, is just , being a charactar of CIA invested and paid MOVIE, which canbe seen all around muslim world.

plz, just now, look thier role in the contxet, of on going, midle-east peace talks , they r ready to talks with ISRAEL?

IRANIAN president, telephoned to , king of saudi arabia to stop SAUDI ARABIA ACCEPTING ISRAEAL.
IT is widely , understood that if G.W.BUSH cant, deliver OSAMA BIN LADEN and cant SOLVE MIDILL EAST PROBLEM, republican party cant win next presidential election in USA.


BUSH admin, is in crisses , they need to win, hearts and minds of AMERICANS, who in majorty are against BUSH and its adminstration and its actions in IRAQ, IN AFGHANISTAN and around the world .

what was happaning in pakistan, these days is a well planed statgy to grip -pakistan , for control of HUGE GAS and OIL reserves in central ASIA , in IRAN.
JUST, look at world oil market,,,,,,now????.......new recrded oil price hit ever.
N W FP, province having a very important geo-political location, is the place where CIA, is the most important intersted party.

we, need constant and deep investigations, into the matters in SWAT, I am sure, that there is alot of honey there??????????

thats , good for the time being for us( pakistanis), that SWAT is 70% clean nd now. but in future , we need to prepare for bigger problems and situations like, SWAT.

THANKS TO PAKARMY....?

A very elucidating post indeed!! Do I understand that in your respected opinion, the main problem in Swat is created by the US Army and Hamid Karzai??

I could rationalise that India is giving money to the trouble makers thru her Counselates in Afghanistan but you have said the US Army is involved as well!

Where does KSA fit in. What the Saudi Royal family being tools of CIA has to do with Mulla Fazlullah. Do you mean KSA is financing the Islamic Extremists in Pakistan and also portraying herself as a friend of Pakistan; a truly Machiavellian trick??

You also talk of high oil prices and refer to "honey" in Swat are you implying that Swat has huge reserves of oil and this is all about control of energy resources??

I make a living out of international oil trade but this implication is new to me. Suppose one learns new things every day. However, I am really confused as to what your post meant to convey. But then I am not a very intelligent person either.

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Hollywood is stagnating because the stories are not powerful. BBC reported so yesterday.

Janto, you could infuse some exciting times out there as an imaginative script writer!

Opportunity knocks on the door but once. Seize it!

 

[jantobanto]

thanks for all of you , who gave thier respected and priceless oppinions by reading my undigestable post.

its , not a fiction and i myself never intersted in writing script.

my dear, genttle mans what , ever i was trying to put was a basic theory which is in practice by CIA. ALTHOUGH i can, prove a lot but i, feel that its not the right time.

but all i can promise with u guys, that if tide of time becomes right i will give u much more then u called PROVES?

AS for NIAZ, my friend as you already mentioned in your post about indian involvement in financing the trouble makers from the diplomatic counselates in AFGHANISTAN.

A. WHO is controlling afghanistan today?

B. GOVT in AFGHANISTAN , doesnt have any knowledge about all this?

c. WHY only GOVT of pakistan has to accept the US+ AFGHAN jointly dictated advice , for so called CLOSING OF TERROR TRANING CAMPS INSIDE OUR BRODERS , mainly LOCATED IN nwfp and jioning trible pak-pashtoon areas.

by the way , THE BIGGEST INDIAN DEMAND ALSO IS OFCOURSE, THE CLOSING TERROR TRANING CAMPS IN AZAD KASHMIR?

can pakistan also, openly demand that us-led afghan govt. should stop its assistance to BLA?



CONTNUED.........NEXT TIME MORE TRUTH.