Operation Rah-e-Nijat (South Waziristan)

[air marshal]

Pakistan gets U.S. equipment for anti-Taliban offensive

NEW YORK, Oct 29 (APP): The United States has quietly shipped substantial military equipment in recent months to aid Pakistan’s fight against militants, a leading US newspaper reported Thursday.

The rushed U.S. supply, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, includes troop transport helicopters, spare parts, night vision goggles, body armor and eavesdropping equipment, The New York Times said, citing senior American and Pakistani officials.

The help, meant for both Pakistan’s spring offensive in the Swat Valley and the current operation in South Waziristan, has come despite Pakistan’s efforts to downplay America’s role in its fight against the Taliban, al-Qaeda and other terror groups, the officials told the newspaper.

The report said additional U.S. military surveillance drones are providing video images and target information to Pakistani ground commanders.

The Pentagon also has quietly provided the Pakistani Air Force with high-resolution, infrared sensors to guide the F-16 warplanes’ bomb attacks on militants’ strongholds in South Waziristan.

In other areas, an American adviser told the Times, the United States in the past eight months has increased to about 150 the number of its Special Forces soldiers and support personnel to train and advise the Pakistani army and paramilitary troops but the U.S. soldiers are not involved in the combat operations.

These developments, although widely known, are not officially disclosed because of the deep-seated anti-American sentiment in Pakistan and to prevent the militants from using them for propaganda purposes, the report said.

It is difficult to determine the effectiveness of U.S. assistance in the military operations, the newspaper said. The increasing American role in shoring up the Pakistani military’s counterinsurgency abilities comes as the Obama administration debates how much of a troop commitment to make in neighbouring Afghanistan.

It also takes place as Taliban attacks are spreading into Pakistani cities. It is unclear whether Pakistani authorities are using any of the sophisticated surveillance equipment to combat the urban terrorism.

In the past year, the paper said the Defence Department has significantly increased the shipment of military equipment to Pakistan to combat the increasingly violent insurgency.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

death to the enemies and ill-wishers of Pakistan....inside and outside the country

 

[Spring Onion]

Security forces secured Sherongai
Updated at: 1448 PST, Thursday, October 29, 2009


WANA: Security forces have secured key area of Sherongai during ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat against foreign militants in Shakai and Ladha areas.
General Officer Commanding Major General Khalid Rabbani in a media briefing said eight-two militants have been killed whereas six security men have been martyred and 43 wounded during the action. He said security forces have secured the Sherongai area from Uzbek militants. Large number of Chechen, Uzbek and Turkmenistan militants is still present in Shakai Ladha area. He expressed hope that Kanigaram area will be cleared soon

 

[Spring Onion]

Pakistan army targets Uzbek base

The army says that it capturing territory all over South Waziristan
Pakistani troops fighting the Taliban in South Waziristan have surrounded a key stronghold of Uzbek fighters, military officials say.

They say that the town of Kaniguram - one of the largest towns in the area - is also the "operational centre" of the Pakistani Taliban.

The army says its offensive against the militants is "making good progress".

But a US-based rights group warned of "catastrophe" if aid is not allowed in to help civilians trapped in the area.

In a statement released on Thursday Human Rights Watch said that Pakistani authorities should ensure that civilians who cannot escape the fighting should have sufficient access to basic necessities.

The group cites reports of people trying to escape the fighting before the onset of a harsh winter.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled the conflict zone since hostilities broke out.

The army says that two medical camps have been set up for displaced families and existing basic health units are being upgraded.

The army has declared South Waziristan a closed military zone until the operation ends.

It also announced "substantial successes" on fronts in the Nawazkot and Razmak-Makeen areas, adding that 11 militants and one solider had been killed in the latest fighting. But analysts say that stiff resistance being put up by militants indicate that all is not going to plan for the army.

Journalists have been denied access to the area and so cannot verify army reports of fighting.

Fight to the death

The town of Kaniguram, which troops are currently battling for, has between 85-90,000 residents and is second only to the town of Wana in terms of its population.

The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says that at least 1,500 Uzbek militants are thought to be there.

In the past Uzbek fighters have been led by Tahir Yuldashev, head of the the hardline Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).

Mr Yuldashev is believed to have been killed recently, but the Taliban have denied his demise and for the moment there has been no word on a successor.





Feared Uzbek in Pakistan
Our correspondent says that even without a leader, the Uzbeks will know this is a fight to the death for them.

While a few Uzbek militants have been living in Kaniguram for years, most arrived after being evicted from Wana by pro-government Taliban commander Maulvi Nazir in March 2007.

Pakistan's military establishment holds the IMU primarily responsible for the re-orientation of the formerly Afghanistan-focused Taliban towards Pakistan and its security forces, analysts say.

The Uzbeks are said to be the driving force behind the ideology of "fighting the enemy who is closer first" - in this case the Pakistan army.

Taliban town

Our correspondent says that this fact - and the urban nature of the battle - means that fighting in Kaniguram is likely to be intense and casualties high.

The majority of the residents of Kaniguram are of the Burki tribe - who dominate the area. But there are also members of the Mehsud and Wazir tribes.

The town is notable for hosting a substantial number of militants loyal to the Pakistani Taliban led by Hakimullah Mehsud.

Kaniguram itself is surrounded by mountains, the highest of which towers to 12,000 feet. There is a network of tarmac roads connecting it to the rest of the region, but they generally remain blocked in winter.

South Waziristan is considered to be the main sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan.

Pakistan launched its offensive after a wave of militant attacks, believed to have been orchestrated from South Waziristan, killed more than 150 people in October

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan army targets Uzbek base

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

3D Google view of Kaniguram, you can zoom in and out.

Appears to be a long narrow valley town with mountains on either side (North and South) and it appears the town bleeds into the mountains.

Kaniguram Google Earth 3D map | S. Waziristan, F.a.T.a., Pakistan in Google Earth

Plenty of forestation in the Southern ridges as well - lots of places to escape and hide in.

 

[air marshal]

 

[Beskar]

Forty-two militants killed in South Waziristan

By Sailab Mehsud
Wednesday, 28 Oct, 2009


Official sources confirmed that more than 30 armed militants attacked the Baidani security check post in Mohmand’s Baizai tehsil. — Photo by AP

LADDAH: The military has claimed to have killed 42 militants in South Waziristan during 24 hours since Monday evening. One soldier lost his life.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said that troops continued their advance towards Sararogha, a stronghold of followers of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud, after flushing out militants from their positions around Kotkai. A number of villages have been cleared and important hills have been secured.

According to an official, troops reached Touda China and Ganra Kach, near Sararogha, after fierce clashes.

Warplanes attacked militants’ hideouts in Laddah and Shiraki. A college building under occupation of militants was also bombed.

According to ISPR, troops cleared the village of Zeriwam and nearby hills on the Jandola-Sararogha axis. Ridges around the main road and Ganra Kas and Konar Height were secured.

Troops also cleared Garlai after clash in which five terrorists were killed and one soldier laid down his life.

On the Shakai-Kaniguram axis, troops cleared an area along the Sherwangi-Laddah road and reached the suburbs of Kund Mela-Momekaram. Seven terrorists were killed.

On the Razmak-Makin axis, security forces surrounded Nawazkot and took positions on important ridges. They regained control of the old FC post in Nawazkot and seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition.Thirty militants were killed when troops attacked their positions in Pakallita Sar, Manza Sar, Green Ridge, Lahgar Narai, Zar-i-Sar Base, China and Makin.

Tip Ghar, Pt 6813 and Laghar Narai areas were cleared. Two soldiers were injured when terrorists fired two rockets at a camp in Razmak.

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Forty-two militants killed in South Waziristan

 

[ejaz007]

Pakistan gets US equipment for SWA offensive
Friday, October 30, 2009


NEW YORK: The United States has quietly shipped substantial military equipment in recent months to aid Pakistan’s fight against militants, a leading US newspaper reported on Thursday.

The rushed US supply, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, includes troop transport helicopters, spare parts, night vision goggles, body armour and eavesdropping equipment, The New York Times said, citing senior American and Pakistani officials. The help, meant for both Pakistan’s spring offensive in the Swat Valley and the current operation in South Waziristan has come despite Pakistan’s efforts to downplay America’s role in its fight against the Taliban, al-Qaeda and other terror groups, the officials told the newspaper.

The report said additional US military surveillance drones are providing video images and target information to Pakistani ground commanders. The Pentagon also has quietly provided the Pakistani Air Force with high-resolution, infrared sensors to guide the F-16 warplanes’ bomb attacks on militants’ strongholds in South Waziristan.

In other areas, an American adviser told the Times, the United States in the past eight months has increased to about 150 the number of its Special Forces soldiers and support personnel to train and advise the Army and paramilitary troops but the US soldiers are not involved in the combat operations.

These developments, although widely known, are not officially disclosed because of the deep-seated anti-American sentiment in Pakistan and to prevent the militants from using them for propaganda purposes, the report said.It is difficult to determine the effectiveness of US assistance in the military operations, the newspaper said.

Pakistan gets US equipment for SWA offensive

 

[TruthSeeker]

 

[fatman17]

Pakistani troops carrying out the offensive number a mere 30,000; they undoubtedly have more fire power, but as they capture and hold territories, their numbers will thin further, despite reinforcements moving in to hold captured territories.

the writer has surprisingly forgotten that the areas cleared by the army will be reinforced / held by the FC, thus army strength deployed will not thin as speculated.

 

[TaimiKhan]

No 448/2009-ISPR Dated: October 30, 2009
Rawalpindi - October 30, 2009:

1. South Waziristan - Operation Rah-e-Nijat

a. In last 24 hours, 14 terrorists have been killed in SWA. Security forces losses are 2 soldiers Shaheed and 3 injured. Details of operations are as follows:-

b. On Jandola – Sararogha Axis

(1) Security forces advancing further have secured important point 1345 west of Dralima and north west of Ahnei Kalle. This height is just 3.5 kilometers from Sararogha and effectively dominates Sararogha Town. During engagements 14 terrorists were killed.

(2) 2 soldiers embraced shahadat due to terrorists’ mortar fire while 3 soldiers including an officer got injured due to an IED blast.

c. On Shakai - Kaniguram Axis

(1) Security forces secured dominating ridge point 6954 located 3 kilometers North of Kund Mela and 2 kilometers West of Kaniguram.

(2) During Sanitization of Serwek and surrounding areas, following weapons have been recovered.

(i) 2 x Rifles
(ii) 9 x Grenades
(iii) 225 x rounds of 14.5 mm gun
(iv) 71 rounds of LMG
(v) 367 rounds of 303 rifle
(vi) 153 rounds of SMG
(vii) 4 x Binoculars
(viii) 14 x 75 mm recoilless Rifle rounds

(3) Sanitization of Khaikaeh Narai and surrounding areas is in progress.

(4) Security forces after fully securing Asman Manza are expanding their perimeter of security and search and clearance operations of Kaniguram has begun.

d. On Razmak- Makeen Axis

(1) Security forces are consolidating their positions at Pakalita Sar and Manza Sar and effectively dominating road Razmak – Makeen.

(2) During search operation in a training markaz of terrorists located south of Pakalita Sar, following weapons and ammunition was recovered:-

(i) 300 rounds of 14.5 mm
(ii) 2 x sacks of fired cases of 12.7 mm gun
(iii) 6 x rockets
(iv) Targets for firing practice
(v) Wires and radio antennas
(vi) An elaborate trench system.

(3) During search operation of compounds in eastern part of Nawazkot, 1 SPG-9 (Grenade Launcher) with 9 rounds, 1 x RPG-7 with 8 rounds have also been recovered.

2. Swat – Malakand – Operation Rah-e-Rast

a. Security forces conducted search operation in Badshai, Hwarai near Aloch, Manr Patai near Shalpin, Baz Darra Bala and apprehended 6 suspects.

b. 5 terrorist voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Wainai and Gulibagh.

c. Security forces conducted search operation at Dabsar near Indus River and neutralized 4 prepared IEDs and 18 empty Gas Cylinders for utilization as IEDs.

3. Relief Activities

a. 7,176 cash cards have been distributed amongst the displaced families of Waziristan.

b. Army helpline and complaint cell (Telephone number 0996-740439) has been established at D I Khan.

---------------------------------------

 

[muhammad ali ehsan]

War is upon us sir,

And a dirty war at that...the enemy will not cease to attack even if we do not take this war to their turf...it is time to rid the country and the people of the terrorist outfit TTP and their Al Qaeda associates...

We hear the bombs, see the dead bodies and feel the pain of those around us on a daily basis...we are under attack since long and the intent is to destroy Pakistan...it is about time we realize this cold fact.

The High command will not commit troops unless they can achieve something and yes we have night fighting capability...my major concern is whether the Pak Fauj sees this window and subsequent snowfall as a difficulty or is it part of their strategy to launch attack just before winter...

Let us pray for our Fauj, their intent is known to us...May Allah guide and protect them in this Jihad against terrorists.
Ameen.

If winters will bring operational hinderences for PA it will also effect the capabilities of the barbarians lined up agaist our army.Surround them,cut their lines of communication/supply and we will have them surrendering in bulk.I only pray the web that army builds around them is tight....no one moves in .. no one moves out.

 

[air marshal]

11 more terrorists killed in operation Rah-e-Nijat

ISLAMABAD, Oct 29 (APP): Eleven more terrorists have been killed in SWA as part of the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat, an ISPR news release said here Thursday.

Due to mortar fire on the security forces, one soldier embraced Shahadat while two others sustained injuries.On Jandola-Sararogha Axis, the security forces are consolidating their positions while the important town of Inzar Kalay has been fully sanitized and cleared of mines, IEDs and bobby traps.

Clearance of Zariwam is in progress where during securing of heights north of Ganra Kas, 5 terrorists fleeing from the area were killed. Due to terrorists mortar fire one soldier embraced Shahadat and 2 injured.
On Shakai- Kaniguram Axis the security forces are expanding their perimeter of security and closing in towards Kaniguram from east and west.

During expansion towards Kaniguram, a comprehensive training centre of terrorists has been discovered in area North West of Khaikaeh Narai - 2 Kms South of Kaniguram.

The security forces secured important height point 2200 west of Kaniguram overlooking road Gani Khel and Mazakai. During securing of this feature, 6 terrorists have been killed along with destruction of 4 bunkers.
Asman Manza feature located 1 km North of Kaniguram overlooking Kaniguram and facilitating move towards Kaniguram has also been secured while forces are consolidating their positions at Servek and Tarkona Narai.

On Razmak - Makeen Axis, the security forces after fully securing Sharakai Sar, successfully moved forward and secured Pakalita and Manza Sar feature North East of village China along main axis Razmak -Makeen.
Consolidation of their positions by security forces at Shaga, point 6813, Tip-Ghar Top and green top is continuing while position in Eastern portion and central area of Nawazkot is also being consolidated.
As far as operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat and Waziristan is concerned, security forces conducted search operation in Nawakilli and apprehended four suspects.

During search operation security forces recovered vehicle of terrorist commander Hussain with driver from Ballogram near Mingora.

So far, 7,099 cash cards have been distributed amongst the displaced families of Waziristan.

 

[Elmo]

Pakistani troops carrying out the offensive number a mere 30,000; they undoubtedly have more fire power, but as they capture and hold territories, their numbers will thin further, despite reinforcements moving in to hold captured territories.

Have reinforcements (divisions) been brought in from outside NWFP? Last one heard, only the ones in Kohat and Peshawar have been moved. How true is that?

Looking at the maps, it struck that the army is operating in a very limited area in the northern part of South Waziristan. Why is this so? Also when the army says it is fighting the Taliban and trying to regain "hold" of South Waziristan, what all areas are we looking at? How many tehsils/districts are under the Taliban... how many of those are is the PA fighting in?

 

[air marshal]