Operation close to achieving goals: Kayani

[sonicboom]

Operation close to achieving goals: Kayani

By Ahmed Hassan
Saturday, 24 Oct, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday chaired a high-level meeting on the security situation in the country, highlighting an unprecedented cooperation and coordination between the top civilian and military leadership.

The prime minister assured that requirements of all agencies involved in combating militants would be met on a priority basis.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, all chief ministers, the president and the prime minister of Azad Kashmir and the governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, all corps commanders and army staff officers, chiefs of the Inter Services Intelligence, Federal Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau, inspectors-general of all provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, chiefs of the Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary, federal ministers for finance, information, interior and defence.

Mr Gilani ordered the reopening of all educational institutions closed following twin blasts in the Islamic University in Islamabad after ensuring full security arrangements.

The prime minister ordered heads of sensitive security and intelligence agencies to streamline their performance to pre-empt the recurrence of terrorism, and promised to provide a generous flow of funds and equipment.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Kayani briefed the meeting about the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan and said it was successfully moving towards desired objectives, adding that the army was trying to minimise collateral damage.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik also gave an overview of the law and order situation.

The meeting praised the role of the media in formulating public opinion against terrorism and extremism, but said it should not glorify terrorists and terrorism and urged it to avoid live coverage of such incidents because it created panic and despondency.

Mr Gilani said that the entire nation was united against terrorists and failure was not an option despite the ferocity of their attacks, adding that elements challenging the state’s writ would be dealt with an iron fist.

Discussing short- and long-term counter-terrorism measures, the prime minister reiterated that the military operation in South Waziristan would continue.

The meeting reviewed strategies formulated by security agencies for the operation’s success and decided to solicit more political support.

The prime minister said that terrorism had destroyed peace, bruised national economy and threatened the people’s well-being.

The meeting observed that there was a nexus between militants and some terrorist organisations, directing provincial and federal intelligence agencies to monitor their activities.

Mr Gilani said that damage assessment in Malakand and Swat had been completed and the reconstruction phase was about to commence, and Rs50 billion had been earmarked for that purpose.

He said more than 120,000 people had migrated from South Waziristan and were camped in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, adding that the government would provide them a cash assistance of Rs5,000 per month in addition to rations and relief items.

The Governor Gilgit-Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Farooq Haider and heads of law-enforcement agencies also briefed the meeting.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff and ministers for defence, interior, information, and finance, and chief ministers of Sindh, the NWFP and Balochistan held a separate meeting with the prime minister.

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Operation close to achieving goals: Kayani

 

[fatman17]

Chief of Army Staff Gen Kayani briefed the meeting about the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan and said it was successfully moving towards desired objectives, adding that the army was trying to minimise collateral damage.

this is strictly for the politicians to keep their morale's up but the ops will take time and at the same time the militants are under extreme pressure as the army closes in from all sides.

 

[sonicboom]

Chief of Army Staff Gen Kayani briefed the meeting about the ongoing military operation in South Waziristan and said it was successfully moving towards desired objectives, adding that the army was trying to minimise collateral damage.

this is strictly for the politicians to keep their morale's up but the ops will take time and at the same time the militants are under extreme pressure as the army closes in from all sides.

Well, I can't wait to see all these thugs on their way to hell. Let's crush them once for all.

 

[WarProfessor]

Well, I can't wait to see all these thugs on their way to hell.

Ameen.

Let's crush them once for all.

Talibunnies will always be a problem, at least not until Lugar bill ends.
Whether their problem is big or small, it depends,
Sane goyums want to stop. Jews want to play...

my half peny.

 

[Owais]

Well, I can't wait to see all these thugs on their way to hell. Let's crush them once for all.

and we need to crush those elements too who are supporting them from Afghanistan under US Umbrella

 

[sonicboom]

I have read somewhere on net that three Pakistani columns are advancing very slowly in the mountainous tribal region amid sporadic clashes. Most of the insurgents have pulled back to the 15,000-ft peaks.

Any thoughts?

 

[WarProfessor]

I have read somewhere on net that three Pakistani columns are advancing very slowly in the mountainous tribal region amid sporadic clashes. Most of the insurgents have pulled back to the 15,000-ft peaks.

Any thoughts?

Very cold.

 

[DaRk WaVe]

I have read somewhere on net that three Pakistani columns are advancing very slowly in the mountainous tribal region amid sporadic clashes. Most of the insurgents have pulled back to the 15,000-ft peaks.

Any thoughts?

thats good before winter all plains & big towns will be taken, they will have to take refugee in in mountains meaning there will be snow( if i m not wrong) or at least severe cold, if we kinda 'seal' peaks & continue aerial bombing they will be given a 'slow freezing death'

End these idiots...

 

[fatman17]

Insurgents putting up a tough fight in Waziristan operation, analysts say

By Ann Scott Tyson

Washington Post Staff Writer

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Pakistan's offensive in the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan has met with significant resistance from insurgents, who have retaken one large town, targeted military vehicles with roadside bombs and held off the army's attack helicopters with antiaircraft fire, U.S. military analysts said Friday.

The heavy fighting has slowed the advance of an estimated 36,000 to 40,000 Pakistani troops into the heart of the contested tribal region bordering Afghanistan, according to a detailed briefing on the week-old ground operation by researchers at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a Washington think tank. Meanwhile, the report said, insurgents continue to coordinate suicide bombings and assassinations outside Waziristan.

But the large government force, aided by U.S. drone strikes and intelligence, outnumbers the insurgents and is expected to maintain its methodical, three-pronged push in an attempt to capture key territory held by the umbrella group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in the tribal stronghold of slain insurgent leader Baitullah Mehsud.

"I am not surprised that they [Taliban insurgents] are opting for a pitched battle here," said Frederick W. Kagan, director of the Critical Threats Project at AEI, which compiled the briefing report primarily from Pakistani military reports and local news sources. "This is their home town," he said.[/B]


The operation's success remains uncertain, given that government forces have not yet taken key towns such as Makeen and Kotkai, according to Kagan and AEI researchers Reza Jan and Charlie Szrom, who prepared the briefing.

"Makeen is probably going to be their hardest fight," Kagan said, noting that several government troops have been killed or injured in rocket attacks in the vicinity.

Last Saturday, Pakistani troops' advance toward Kotkai was slowed by the large numbers of roadside bombs, which killed at least one soldier. The soldiers surrounded Kotkai and destroyed the houses of some key insurgent leaders there, but the Taliban launched a counteroffensive and retook Kotkai on Tuesday morning, according to the briefing.

Still, Pakistan's army is demonstrating more sophistication this time around in the use of counterinsurgency tactics compared with its 2004 incursion into Waziristan. For example, although most of the estimated 5,000 residents of Kotkai are thought to have fled, the military has not flattened the town with artillery fire and instead plans to move in in "a more measured way," Kagan said.

More than 200,000 civilians have fled the tribal area, overwhelming government centers designed to aid them, while other residents remain caught between the army and the insurgents, according to the briefing.

Some of the fighting could spill into Afghanistan, if insurgents from Pakistan seek to flee there, and Pakistan's military used Cobra helicopter gunships this week to strike Taliban positions near the border. The neighboring Afghan province of Paktika, where the U.S. military has recently pulled out of some small border posts, is particularly vulnerable, the report said.

The Pakistani force conducting the Waziristan operation comprises about 30,000 soldiers from the 7th Infantry Division and 9th Infantry Division of the army's XI Corps, based in Peshawar, and 10,000 members of the Frontier Corps, which operates in western tribal areas, as well as 500 Special Services Group commandos and two army aviation squadrons, according to the briefing.

A vital question, Kagan said, is whether the Pakistani forces will be able to hold areas after an estimated six- to eight-week campaign to clear out insurgents. "Will there be a hold phase? We don't know," he said. He predicted that Pakistani commanders would use the tribally recruited Frontier Corps, backed by regular soldiers, to police areas after they have been pacified.

If the operation succeeds, Kagan said, it would deal an unprecedented blow to the Pakistan-based Taliban group. "It's a pretty well-coordinated plan, but it hasn't gotten to the objective yet," he said.

 

[Janbaz]

Its hell on earth for them now, and hellfire awaits them in the afterlife.

God has tightened their reins, those who butcher innocents DO NOT DESERVE to roam freely.

May god give our men the courage for a final and decisve thrust into enemy territory.

Amen

 

[Javed3]

A vital question, Kagan said, is whether the Pakistani forces will be able to hold areas after an estimated six- to eight-week campaign to clear out insurgents. "Will there be a hold phase? We don't know," he said. He predicted that Pakistani commanders would use the tribally recruited Frontier Corps, backed by regular soldiers, to police areas after they have been pacified.

Yes it is easy to hold the area, like Bajaur and Swat are being held now. That means permanent basing; and hence permanent erosion of conventional capabilities. Finally our poor nation has to finance the adventure by sapping its bone marrow. The primary beneficiary USA will get away through selective buyout of our Leadership.

 

[S-2]

"That means permanent basing; and hence permanent erosion of conventional capabilities. Finally our poor nation has to finance the adventure by sapping its bone marrow."

Oh shut up. It's not like you've anything better to do with your time than SAVE YOUR COUNTRY.

Might try it for a refreshing change of pace...

Thanks.

 

[WarProfessor]

"That means permanent basing; and hence permanent erosion of conventional capabilities. Finally our poor nation has to finance the adventure by sapping its bone marrow."

Oh shut up. It's not like you've anything better to do with your time than SAVE YOUR COUNTRY.

Might try it for a refreshing change of pace...

Thanks.

You shut up.

 

[Ratus Ratus]

You shut up.

Brilliant reply, lacks a bit of intelligence though.

What it does mean is that your central government will have to take real responsibility for the region and not play games as they have done for the last 60 odd years.
So basing troops there is a start of that taking responsibility and bringing the writ of national government to the region.

Anything wrong with that?

 

[S-2]

"...lacks a bit of intelligence though"

You think?

No humor in this house, especially ol' W.P., and they sure as hell don't get the point of taking something and actually holding onto it so that Mehsud, Inc. don't roll right back on in...

Sorta separates the "take" from the "hold" much less actually get around to "build".

BUILD!!!!??? IN FATAVILLE??? WHATEVER FOR??? LIFE'S JUST GRRAAANNNDDD for our heroic tribespeople.

Suppose you COULD surrender. That's always an option...

...or just cut another deal.

Thanks.