Operation Rah-e-Nijat (South Waziristan)

[Hellfire]

and yet you were willing to only commit 30000 troops at onset of operations when in the thread concerning withdrawl of troops from east to meet swat challenge there was a strong opposition on "India Factor"..... i see the numbers climbing further now regularly ..... and if anyone says that Pakistan needs to worry about East ..... please that shall be height of paranoid delusions ...... India is in NO WAY interested in invading Pakistan now knowing that PA is finding it tough to curtail their own minions, what IA will manage?

 

[Javed3]

fatman17
Not a hint buddy! Our Army just racks in victories wherever it goes. Never ending series of Conquests.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

We have to moniter our eastren front also . Our enemy would be keen at taking the advantage . I think Pakistan should declare the first use of Nuclear wepons incase of any offensive from hostile states and then should carry out the operation in waziristan with full throtle .
There are many in the world who would try to sabotaje this Waristan ops . Operation .

 

[AliFarooq]

We have to moniter our eastren front also . Our enemy would be keen at taking the advantage . I think Pakistan should declare the first use of Nuclear wepons incase of any offensive from hostile states and then should carry out the operation in waziristan with full throtle .
There are many in the world who would try to sabotaje this Waristan ops . Operation .

It would be a stupid move by them, china wouldn't hesitate cuz relations between china and india haven't been going well.

 

[Javed3]

AliFarooq:
China has no interest or incentive to protect our rear end while we are wasting 1/3rd of our military strength waging America's war on our own soil against our "misguided" citizens.

 

[Elmo]

Pakistan army starts S.Waziristan ground assault

Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:38am EDT
* Army operation follows air, artillery strikes

* Authorities in show of unity ahead of advance

* Tens of thousands of civilians flee region (For a Q+A, click on [ID:SP464060]; for a factbox, click on [ID:SP467071]; for coverage of Pakistan and Afghanistan, click on [ID:nAFPAK])


By Hafiz Wazir


DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Pakistan's army began on Saturday a ground operation against Taliban militants in the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, with soldiers advancing from three directions, officials said.

The assault follows a string of brazen militant attacks that began on Oct. 5 with a suicide bomb attack on a U.N. office in Islamabad and included assaults on the army headquarters, police and the public in which more than 150 people were killed.

In a show of unity before the offensive, government and political party leaders gave the military full backing on Friday, vowing to weed out militants and restore the writ of the state.

"The ground operation has begun," Tariq Hayat Khan, secretary of Pakistan's ethnic Pashtun tribal regions, told Reuters by telephone.

He gave no details and military spokesmen were unavailable for comment.

Intelligence and government officials said troops were moving from three directions and some clashes had erupted when they met resistance. Four soldiers were wounded, an official said.

A military official referred to the troop movements as "pre-positioning".

The army says about 28,000 soldiers are in place to take on an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban. About 500 commandos arrived in the region on Friday, security officials said.

The army has for months been using aircraft and artillery to to soften up the militants' defences while moving in troops to seal off the region.

The army has stepped up its air and artillery attacks in recent days while thousands of civilians have been fleeing. [ID:SP465924]

Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani briefed government and party leaders on Friday and they all agreed that the militants posed a serious threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the state.

"The national consensus is reaffirmed to establish and maintain the writ of the state to weed out these elements," Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani's office said.

More than 80,000 civilians had fled from South Waziristan in anticipation of the offensive and the U.N. refugee agency said more people left this week.

ROADSIDE BOMBS

Earlier, a government official said authorities had imposed a curfew along roads in South Waziristan to protect forces moving towards militant strongholds.

An intelligence official said soldiers, tanks and artillery were being taken towards militant areas. Telephone services had apparently been cut off to the region.

Roadside bombs went off near military convoys in both South and North Waziristan regions, killing three soldiers and wounding five, another intelligence official said.

Pakistani Taliban made advances towards Islamabad early this year, raising fears about the stability of the U.S. ally.

But significant military gains in the Swat valley, northwest of Islamabad, have reassured the United States and other allies about Pakistan's commitment to the fight.

In a sign of U.S. continuing support, President Barack Obama signed on Wednesday a $7.5 billion aid bill for Pakistan over the next five years.

But Pakistan's military had complained about the bill because the legislation ties some funds to fighting militants and is seen by critics as violating sovereignty. [ID:nISL444835].

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was in Washington this week when Democratic Senator John Kerry, an author of the bill, issued a statement stressing that the legislation did not seek to impinge on Pakistan's sovereignty or "micromanage any aspect of Pakistan's military or civilian operations".

Qureshi told parliament on Friday the country had not compromised its sovereignty and he later met army chief Kayani. [ID:nISL444835].

"Many of the fears that were expressed, concerns that were shown earlier on, have been allayed by the statement," Qureshi told Dawn television, referring to Kerry's statement. (For more Reuters coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan, see:here an) (Additional reporting by Alamgir Bitani Kamran Haider; Writi ng by Robert Birsel; Editing by Ron Popeski)

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

 

[AliFarooq]

AliFarooq:
China has no interest or incentive to protect our rear end while we are wasting 1/3rd of our military strength waging America's war on our own soil against our "misguided" citizens.

Ever wonder why china invested so much in pakistan??

 

[s90]

The high level meeting which gave go-ahead to the operation.

 

[courageneverdies]

ISPR Officially announces commencement of Operation in South Waziristan. Press release will soon follow. The Operation has started Yesterday's night.

Good Luck Pakistan.

With the God's Help the victory is very near

KIT Out

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

you guys managed it ... shifted the campaign to your cities !!!

keep hitting heavy in the country and you will get them to target you in cities ...... again the rationale for such heavy deployments?

Are you forgetting the attacks in the cities before the Swat Operation?

We had an entire wave of suicide bombings in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar after the Lal Masjid Ops.

The Taliban moved the campaign to the cities long ago.

 

[courageneverdies]

Ground offensive begins in Pakistan al-Qaida haven​

By ISHTIAQ MAHSUD and MUNIR AHMAD, Associated Press Writers Ishtiaq Mahsud And Munir Ahmad, Associated Press Writers

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan – More than 30,000 Pakistani soldiers launched a ground offensive against al-Qaida and the Taliban's main stronghold along the Afghan border Saturday, officials said, in the country's toughest test yet against a strengthening insurgency.

The United States has long pushed the government to carry out an assault in South Waziristan, and it comes after two weeks of militant attacks that have killed more than 175 people across the nuclear-armed country. That has ramped up pressure on the army to act.

Pakistan has fought three unsuccessful campaigns since 2001 in the region, which is the nerve-center for Pakistani insurgents fighting the U.S.-backed government. It is also a major base for foreign militants to plan attacks on American and NATO forces in Afghanistan and on targets in the West.

After months of aerial bombing, troops moved into the region Saturday from several directions, heading to the insurgent bases of Ladha and Makeen among other targets, intelligence and military officials said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic or because they were not allowed to brief the media.

They said the operation was expected to last around two months.

Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas confirmed Saturday evening that a full-fledged ground operation was under way and said that it aimed to "uproot" the Pakistani Taliban. He said it was too early to discuss what sort of resistance the army was meeting.

The United Nations has said it is preparing to help civilians who are fleeing the region. Up to 150,000 civilians have already left in recent months after the army made clear it was planning an assault, but there are perhaps as many as 350,000 remaining.

At least 11 suspected insurgents were killed in the jet bombings, while a bomb hit a security convoy, killing one soldier and wounding three others, two local intelligence officials said. A military statement Saturday evening said four soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in exchanges of fire elsewhere in the region.

It is nearly impossible to independently verify information from the region, which is largely controlled by local tribes and has little infrastructure or government presence. Foreigners require permission to enter tribal areas, and few Pakistani journalists risk traveling there.

Makeen resident Ajmal Khan said people there were terrified but could not leave their homes due to a curfew.

"We heard sounds of planes and helicopters early Saturday. Then we heard blasts," Khan said by telephone. "We are also hearing gunshots, and it seems the army is exchanging fire with Taliban."

The army has deployed more than 30,000 troops to the region, said one of the intelligence officials. The military already has said it has sealed off many supply and escape routes and has been trying to secure the support of local tribesmen in the fight.

Earlier this week, the airport in the nearest major town, Dera Ismail Khan, was closed to civilian aircraft.

Recent opinion polls show broad support for military action against the militants, a change from a few years ago. There is also political backing for action. But a long and bloody conflict — and more terrorist attacks around the country — could erode that support.

Speaking earlier in the week, army spokesman Abbas said the assault would be limited to slain Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud's holdings — a swath of territory that stretches roughly 1,275 square miles (3,310 square kilometers). That portion covers about half of South Waziristan, which itself is slightly larger than the U.S. state of Delaware.

The plan is to capture and hold the area where Abbas estimates 10,000 insurgents are headquartered and reinforced with about 1,500 foreign fighters, most of them of Central Asian origin. "There are Arabs, but the Arabs are basically in the leadership, providing resources and expertise and in the role of trainers," he said.

Since 2001, the army's three attempts to dislodge Taliban fighters from South Waziristan have ended in truces that left the Taliban in control. This time the military has said there will be no deals, partly to avoid jeopardizing gains won earlier this year when Pakistani soldiers overpowered the Taliban in the Swat Valley, another northwestern region.

Taliban spokesmen could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday. Communications in and around the region appeared jammed, making it difficult to reach local residents or other witnesses.

Despite sometimes rocky relations with the Pakistani military, the U.S. is trying to rush in equipment for the offensive that would help with mobility, night fighting and precision bombing, a U.S. Embassy official told The Associated Press in a recent interview, speaking on condition of anonymity because the issue is politically sensitive.

In addition to night-vision devices, the Pakistan military has said it is seeking additional Cobra helicopter gunships, heliborne lift capability, laser-guided munitions and intelligence equipment to monitor cell and satellite telephones.

Even if the operation is successful in South Waziristan, many of the militants could escape to Afghanistan or other parts of Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal belt. Few analysts expect that by itself it will turn the tide in the country's war against militants.

The army has considered the upcoming winter weather in the timing the offensive. Snows in the region could block major roads. At the same time, it could also work to the army's advantage by driving fighters out of their unheated mountain hideouts.

Although the military has been hitting targets in South Waziristan for the past three months, it waited until two weeks ago to say it would definitely go ahead with a major ground offensive.

What followed was a rash of major bombings that killed 175 people and demonstrated the militants' ability to attack cities across the country. One attack involved a siege of the army's headquarters that lasted 22 hours and left 23 people dead. In the latest bombing, three suicide attackers, including a woman, struck a police station in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Friday, killing 13 people.

___

Ahmad reported from Islamabad. Associated Press writers Kathy Gannon and Nahal Toosi in Islamabad and Hussain Afzal in Parachinar contributed to this report.

Ground offensive begins in Pakistan al-Qaida haven - Yahoo! News

KIT Out

 

[Patriot]

Well, in previous OP's army was just doing little battle's.Its a war now.The good thing is that Civilians are being evacuated.Now Waziristan op must be successful like Swat Rahe-Rast Op.There is no other option.

 

[courageneverdies]

Well, in previous OP's army was just doing little battle's.Its a war now.The good thing is that Civilians are being evacuated.Now Waziristan op must be successful like Swat Rahe-Rast Op.There is no other option.

Inshallah bro, this op has to be a success and it with the help of God will be. Not ideal time and condition, I must say again, but may God help us and lead our brave soldiers to get over the brutal terrorists of Waziristan.

This must be a success for If our army fails, than fails all the country, which we and our soldiers won't let happen. I hope the advancement of our troops from three directions will be succesful. The evacuees must be scrutinized and checked with efficiency for their maybe terrorists alongwith them.

Three Cheers for PA and Pakistan Army. Come on boys, we've a battle to fight.

KIT Out

 

[Beskar]

Four soldiers killed, 12 injured in South Waziristan operartion


ISLAMABAD: More than 30,000 Pakistani soldiers launched a much-awaited ground offensive in an al-Qaeda and Taliban stronghold along the Afghan border early Saturday, officials told The Associated Press.

Four soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded during clashes in Waziristan the army said. Meanwhile nine militants have so far been killed in the operation.

'The army has launched an operation after receiving orders from the government. The operation was launched early in the morning. Both air and ground troops are taking part,' Major General Athar Abbas told AFP.

The offensive in South Waziristan follows months of air strikes intended to soften up militant defences that have also forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee.

South Waziristan is a key base for foreign and national militant groups planning attacks on American and Nato targets in Afghanistan and beyond. The US is racing to send in night-vision goggles and other equipment to aid the latest operation.

The region is remote and mountainous. It has a leaky border with Afghanistan and fiercely independent tribes who have long resisted government interference. With winter snows just weeks away, the army has limited time to pursue a major ground attack there, and even if it does manage to wipe out its intended targets, it’s unclear whether troops will occupy the area or for how long.

The officials Saturday – two with intelligence, three with the government and one senior army official – gave few details but said the troops were pursuing militants holed up in the region, including in major trouble spots such as Ladha and Makeen towns.

The army has sent more than 30,000 troops to the region to participate in the combat, said one of the intelligence officials. He said the ground forces were attacking from different directions while helicopter gunships and other aircraft also were bombing various sites.

The military already has said it already has sealed off many supply and escape routes.

All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information or because they did not have authority to release it to media on the record.

In a previous interview with AP, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the assault would be limited to slain Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud’s holdings – a swath of territory that stretches roughly 3,310 square kilometres.

The plan is to capture and hold the area where Abbas estimates 10,000 insurgents are headquartered and reinforced with about 1,500 foreign fighters, most of them of Central Asian origin. ‘There are Arabs, but the Arabs are basically in the leadership, providing resources and expertise and in the role of trainers,’ he said.

Taliban spokesmen could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday.

Communications in and around the region appeared jammed, making it difficult to reach local residents or other witnesses.

The army expects the militants to use guerrilla tactics including ambushes, suicide attacks and roadside bombs.

Despite sometimes rocky relations with the Pakistani military, the US is trying to rush in equipment that would help with mobility, night fighting and precision bombing, a US Embassy official told The Associated Press in a recent interview, speaking on condition of anonymity because the issue is politically sensitive.

In addition to night-vision devices, the Pakistan military has said it is seeking additional Cobra helicopter gunships, heliborne lift capability, laser-guided munitions and intelligence equipment to monitor cell and satellite telephones.

The army has considered the weather in the timing the offensive. Snows in the region could block major roads. At the same time, a harsh winter could work to the army’s advantage by driving fighters out of their unheated mountain hideouts.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/07-curfew-imposed-in-south-waziristan-ahead-of-operation-ha-01

 

[Beskar]

Pakistan begins Taliban assault ​

Saturday, 17 October 2009

FORCES IN WAZIRISTAN
Pakistan army: Two divisions totalling 28,000 soldiers
Frontier Corp: Paramilitary forces from tribal areas likely to support army

Taliban militants: Estimated between 10,000 and 20,000
Uzbek fighters supporting Taliban: Estimates widely vary between 500-5,000

Fierce fighting has broken out as Pakistan's army launched an air and ground offensive against Taliban militants in the South Waziristan area.


Officials said 30,000 troops, backed by artillery, had moved into the region where Pakistan Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is based.

Militants were reported to be offering stiff resistance as troops advanced from the north, east, and west.

A curfew was imposed in the region before the offensive began.

There have been several co-ordinated Taliban attacks in recent days, killing more than 150 people in cities across Pakistan.

Pakistan's top army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas confirmed that a fully-fledged assault had begun.

The aim of the attack was to "uproot" the Taliban, he was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.

Local officials reported dozens of casualties as both sides used heavy weapons.

The bodies of three Pakistan soldiers were taken to the northern town of Razmak. There have also been unconfirmed reports of militant deaths.

Nearly all communications in the region were down after the Taliban destroyed a telecommunications tower at Tiarza, local officials said.

Reports from the area are sketchy as it is difficult and dangerous for foreign or Pakistani journalists to operate inside South Waziristan.

Air attack

Aerial bombardments in the the Makeen area, a stronghold of the Mehsud tribe and a key army target, were also reported by local officials and witnesses.

One resident of Makeen town described the onset of fighting.

"We heard the sounds of planes and helicopters early Saturday. Then we heard blasts. We are also hearing gunshots and it seems the army is exchanging fire with Taliban," Ajmal Khan told the Associated Press news agency by telephone.

The ground operation comes after weeks of air and artillery strikes against militant targets in the region, which lies close to the Afghan border.

Thousands of civilians have fled South Waziristan in anticipation of the offensive.

Aid agencies say that many more are expected to flee but the tough terrain and the Taliban's grip on the area will present difficulties.

Transport has been difficult as roads have been blocked by the military.

There is a huge army presence on the road between Tank and Dera Ismail Khan, says the BBC's Islamabad correspondent Shoaib Hasan, near South Waziristan.

On his way to South Waziristan, he passed several army convoys on the road.

There has been no comment from the Pakistan military yet.

The mobilisation came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani held a meeting of the country's senior political and military leadership.

Lengthy planning

Recent militant attacks were seen as an attempt to divide public opinion, but they appear to have strengthened the resolve of the government, which says the Taliban must now be eliminated, our correspondent added.

A family flee Waziristan region near the Afghan border ahead of fighting
Pakistanis have fled the Afghan border region as troops move in

The army has been massing troops near the militants' stronghold for months - ever since the governor of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province announced a ground offensive in South Waziristan on 15 June.

Pakistan's government has been under considerable pressure from the US to tackle militancy there.

North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan.

South Waziristan is considered to be the first significant sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan since 9/11.

It also has numerous training camps for suicide bombers.

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Pakistan begins Taliban assault