Operation Rah-e-Rast (Swat)

[Rank]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Any guy watch GEO Documenty (Complete Military Operation) ??? 7:20 - 7:50 still documentry program onair... right now!!

full cobraz Bellz military troops movement and very huge documentry related Operation in which HQ General (i dunno his name) said

"yahan say hamnay bohat asa aslaha hatyaar jama kya hey jinmay hamara jo Neighbour mumalik hey uska MADE hey"

WOOO!!!

 

[S-2]

Some thoughts-

Briltek- No. The tunnels aren't a shock at all. The Mujahideen were noted for their tunnel systems. We've seen the taliban and Al Qaeda use extensive systems from the Afghan-Soviet war, elaborate upon them, AND build altogether new complexes-though more modest.

In Bajaur last September, your army found extensive tunneling within the modest urban ville of Loe Sam, to include connecting tunnels between homes on opposite sides of the highway. Not trenches through the road but tunnels underneath.

You can expect both old facilities now well-updated from the Afghan-Soviet war as well as extensive new fortifications, bunkers, and tunnels in Waziristan if and when...

As we've often claimed that the Islamic Emirate of Waziristan and other adjacent areas act as sanctuary to forces fighting in Afghanistan, it should come as no surprise Maj. Gen. Schlosser's comments. Those that cross to fight in Afghanistan naturally cross back to seek succor in Pakistan.

We make no distinction between armed groups of men traveling west to do battle or east to find sanctuary from places like Konar or Khost and kill them wherever found. That said, and with great faith in the U.S. Army's eagerness to just such, it becomes clear that one doesn't SEAL borders here. What can be expected is that one contests these reaches and creates a real cost to the effort of crossing.

This will continue until lands on both sides of the border for a considerable depth are under the government writs of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Only when the armies of both countries have nothing better to do than contest the Durand line may we be satisfied that control has been fully extended.

Hope that makes sense.

The result of such is that, depending upon the relative pressures extended on either side by Pakistani forces or Afghan/American forces, militants will quite likely flee areas of intense government security force activity for more quiet locales. Conversely, as Gen. Schlosser also suggested, they may well aid the battles now being fought in Dir, Bajaur, and even as far east as SWAT. Why not? SWAT is only 70 kms or so from the Afghan border itself.

Further, it's been long suggested from the Bajaur battles last fall that sanctuary AND THEIR FINAL REDOUBT lie in the tribal borders. This will be defended to the last. It's what they have and it's ALL they have.

Securing your rear areas are critical to any insurgent that's relied on sanctuary. Omar, in Baluchistan, has assiduously worked to this by maintaining good rapport with the Pakistani authorities while also working to convince B. Mehsud of the value behind turning his warriors west to Afghanistan instead of upon the Pakistani gov't.

Sanctuary are your border reaches. The front lines extend in depth from there to the battlefields in SWAT/Buner/Bajaur/Dir in the east and from wherever they make contact with Afghan/American forces in the west.

Our collective objectives should be to drive them into each other's countries while collapsing their control. It likely can't be wrestled from the inside-out so there's little choice but to proceed systematically. The militants will, in turn, defend systematically as they fall back into Waziristan.

No doubt that this will draw even more militants home. They cannot exist in Afghanistan without a firm rear base and will fight at all costs to maintain such. Eventually, Omar himself and the taliban will fight as so too Haqqani and Hekmatyar. They'll have no choice but to do so or pick up their operations and logistical apparatus and move to Afghanistan lock, stock, and barrel.

The afghan side of your western borders is contested heavily by the Americans/Afghans. Not so in the south. No doubt as Canadian, British, Afghan, and American troops begin moving into Helmand and Kandahar's depths, we'll drive the taliban back onto Quetta. As you eventually fall upon these reaches, you'lll drive them back upon us.

So it'll likely go, IMHO.

 

[muse]

Alternately, if seen from a persepective where in an American General has now confessed that U.S forces and their Afghan mercenaries are not stopping Talib and Al-Qaida forces who use the territory under the U.S control as sanctuaries from which they launch attacks against Pakistani forces, resupply their forces in Pakistan and seek rest, recuperation and succor in the territory osetnsibly under the control of the U.S forces and Afghan mercenaries.

The first think to note in both scenarios offered is that a willful decision has been made as to how facts will be interpreted, what story will they be made to tell - this in turn will give us some idea of the assumptions underwhich these interpretation/analysis have been formulated.

When the U.S continue to malign Pakistan by asscribing to it intentions that are an insult to the sacrifices the nation and it's armed forces have offered, it suggests a serious disconnect between elements of U.S intelligence community who find efficacy in this disconect and U.S. military forces on one hand and Pakistani public opinon and armed forces on the other.

 

[ajpirzada]

yup i watched it. and some of the weapon was also US made which has been leaked to militants from within afghan gov

 

[Mercenary_ali]

Is there any link through which I can see the documentary online.........

 

[Neo]

Security forces storm into Mingora: ISPR​

Saturday, May 23, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Security forces stormed into the main town in the Swat valley and fought street battles Saturday in a bid to capture the capital of the northwest district from militant control, the military said.

The director general of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas told a news conference that parts of Mingora had already been cleared and that 17 militants, including an important commander of Matta Usman, were killed during the most recent fighting of Pakistan's northwest offensive. He said another important commander; Khursheed Qasai has been arrested from Watta Kali area.

The ground assault on Mingora, a city with an estimated population of around 300,000 -- of whom many have fled -- marks the most crucial part of the military's blistering offensive against militants in the scenic valley.

Mingora has effectively been under militant control for weeks and -- as the administrative and business hub of the entire district -- its capture is essential for the military to be able to declare ultimate victory in Swat.

"Today the most important phase of operation Rah-e-Rast, the clearance of Mingora, has commenced," Abbas said.

"In the last 24 hours, security forces have entered Mingora; 17 miscreants-terrorists, including important miscreant commander were killed," he said.

The military reported intense exchanges of fire and said one would-be suicide bomber was shot dead and that another "suicide vehicle" rigged with explosives had been destroyed.

Troops had been slowly tightening their encirclement of the city for days and Abbas said that militant supplies had been cut off.

 

[Neo]

1095 terrorists killed, 29 injured so far in operation Rah-e-Rast​

ISLAMABAD (May 23, 2009): Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas on Saturday said during the Operation Rah-e-Rast, so far 1095 terrorists have been killed while 29 others arrested.

Giving detailed briefing on the operation at PID’s Media Centre here, he said that the security forces have achieved a number of successes during the operations and efforts are in hand to conclude it at earliest. “An utmost care is being exercised by the operating forces to avoid civilian casualty but due to war situation no one can give 100% assurance that there will not be any civil casualty,” he said.

“We are not an occupying force from another country ? we are Pakistani force and we are operating with maximum care and conscious to avoid collateral damage,” he said.

He said during the last 24 hours, security forces have entered Mingora city where 17 miscreant?terrorists including an important miscreant commander were killed.

“Today the most important phase of operation Rah-e-Rast, the clearance of Mingora, has commenced. Security forces have cleared the area from circuit house to Makan Bagh including Continental Hotel. Clearance of Nawan Killi has started, link up between forces coming from Fiza Ghat to Whataki Chowk and Ayub Bridge to Nawan Killi exchange has been completed.”

He said street fight between the terrorists and the security forces is continuing on one hand while on the other the forces are carrying out house to house search operation.

He said the forces have consolidated their positions at Qambar ridge which is overlooking Mingora. During expansion at Qambar Ridge, 6 miscreants have been killed. “Their bodies are lying there.”

During search and destroy operation three caves having large quantity of ammunition and rations have been discovered. Moreover, a transmission station alongwith base unit has also been captured.

Intense exchange of fire is taking place at Nishat Chowk in Mingora where a suicide bomber was shot dead and a suicide vehicle loaded with explosives was destroyed at Makanzai.

“Miscreant’s locations at Hira School Sharifabad was targeted resultantly killing a number of miscreant?terrorists.

The security forces have also apprehended a terrorist commander Khurshid alias Qasai from Watakai.

Security forces have achieved substantial gains in Peochar Valley where Miscreant?terrorists are on the run in small groups after the successful operation by security forces.

“It has shattered the myth of miscreant?terrorists in the Valley and has increased the confidence of local population in armed forces.”

He pointed out that local populace have voluntarily surrendered weapons kept for self protection purpose on the instructions of the security forces.

“The locals of Peochar revealed that they were subjected to forced labour and atrocities by miscreant?terrorists. They also expressed to support the security forces in identification of militants.”

Security Forces have successfully secured the vital Wanai Bridge linking Matta with Peochar. The forces are consolidating their positions around Alam Ganj, Nazarabad, Uchraisar and Wanai Bridge. During exchange of fire between security forces and miscreants, one soldier was wounded. A miscreant Commander of Matta, Usman Alias Butcher was killed.

Cordon and search operations are being conducted on information of miscreants’ arrival in Qambar bazaar where 5 miscreants were killed and one compound was effectively destroyed.

Miscreants fire raided a post located north of Qambar Bazar but attack was repulsed effectively.

One vehicle of miscreants ? terrorists destroyed by Kalpani post alongwith 4 miscreants. Weapons, large sized batteries and mobiles recovered from vehicle.

Director General ISPR in reply to a question said that the security forces have full control of Sultanwas while they are expanding their control in surroundings of the town.

He pointed out that the people of Sultanwas have vowed to form Lashkar to regain the possession of Zirat Pir Baba while the security forces are evaluating that if they solely can perform the job or otherwise.

He said the Road to Khwazakhela is open and IDPs are returning to their houses.

He said the area of Dggar is also secure while the road between Daggar and Sultanwas is yet to be secured fully.

Answering a question, he said that the authorities are considering proposal to bring all the IDPs in one camp to check the possibility of the presence of any terrorist in the camp. “The people will themselves locate and deal with the terrorist if present in their Camp.”

In reply to another question, he said that if Prime Minister has given the 8?week deadline for the conclusion of the Operation then we will make all out efforts to up keep his words and try to conclude it even before 8 weeks time.

He told a questioner that around 1000 to 1500 hard core terrorists are posing resistance to the security forces in the operation while around other 1100 have been killed in the operation.

He said that the security forces in retaliation to an attack by the terrorists in Jandola (South Waziristan) had carried out an encountering activity whereby inflicting casualty on the terrorists.

He said that the reports of furthering pressure on Pakistan after increase in deployment of NATO forces in Afghanistan are correct and this aspect would be taken care of appropriately. He said at present around 150000 troops of Pakistan Army and FC are deployed along the Afghan border and adjoining areas. The number of deployment is also included the number of troops carrying out operation in Malakand Division, he added.

Major Gen. Athar Abbas answering another question said that the security forces have been ensuring that there should not be sneaking out of terrorists from the area under operation.

 

[ajpirzada]

Is there any link through which I can see the documentary online.........

here u go brother... but u might have to wait for 24 hrs before u could watch it as u r not a member of this website

Dir say Swat Tak - 23 May 2009 | pkpolitics.com

 

[Neo]

US troop surge to bring more militants to Pakistan: Mullen​

Saturday, 23 May, 2009

WASHINGTON: Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, has warned that the surge of 21,000 additional US troops into Afghanistan could bring new militants to Pakistan from the neighbouring country.

'We can't deny that our success in that regard may only push them deeper into Pakistan,' said the US military chief while discuss the impact of Washington’s new Afghan policy on Islamabad.

'Pakistan faces many complex challenges, perceived threats from the north and east, the very real threat of insurgency from within and the growing risks of poverty and illiteracy unchecked,' a transcript released during the weekend quoted the admiral as saying. 'Yet our ongoing engagement with Pakistan is yielding and will continue to yield promise.'

The admiral said the Obama administration had no option but to push the Taliban harder in Afghanistan despite the possible negative impact of such a drive on Pakistan.

'They want Afghanistan back,' he said. 'We can't let them or their al-Qaeda cohorts have it. We can't permit the return of the very same safe havens from which the attacks on 9/11 were planned and resourced.'

The admiral said that the Taliban might not be some monolithic or homogenous body in makeup or ideology, but they did have governing ambitions. 'It's not just about instilling fear or spreading violence. They want Afghanistan back.'

Admiral Mullen said that while the US was deeply engaged with Pakistan, providing both military and financial support to Islamabad in its efforts to uproot the Taliban, it faced certain drawbacks as well.

'We still recover from almost 12 years of silence during which the Pressler Amendment was enforced. Our military relationships, which often have been national relations, have, in many ways, started anew.'

The admiral said he valued the relationship he had with the Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Kiyani, cultivating it over the past year and a half, but it was important for other US officials to have similar relations with their Pakistani counterparts.

'That kind of relationship is slowly being replicated down our respective military chains and in our war colleges. In all this, there is opportunity now for both sides,' he noted with satisfaction.

'The ancient martial history that is Pakistan's is a proud one, indeed, going back to the days of Alexander the Great and Pakistanis are just as proud today,' he said.

'We focus a lot of our attention on their conventional and even nuclear capabilities, but they are working to expand their counterinsurgency capability as well.'

He said that a few weeks ago, General Kiyani took him into the field to visit two division-based counterinsurgency exercises for two of their battalions. 'It was impressive, both in scope and complexity, but clearly, they have more work to do,' he added.

Meanwhile, a senior US military official told reporters in Washington on Friday afternoon that the next 12 to 18 months were critical to the success of America’s new Afghanistan-Pakistan strategy.

In an off the record briefing, which does not allow journalists to identify the briefer, the official said the Obama administration will also continue its predecessor’s reliance on Predator drones and other unmanned vehicles for targeting militants hideouts in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The official conceded that the attacks enraged both countries but said the US military liked drones because they were 'effective, relatively cheap and keep pilots out of danger.'

The official noted that President Obama had retained two senior Bush aides, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicating that at least some policies of the previous administration will also be followed.

 

[Neo]

Fight for Mingora is on​

By Iftikhar A. Khan
Saturday, 23 May, 2009

ISLAMABAD: The security forces have entered in Mingora to launch a major offensive against terrorists in the largest city of Swat known as a key stronghold of Taliban, blocking escape routes and cutting off supply lines for terrorists.

'Street fighting has begun in Mingora city which has been encircled from the four sides and house to house search was underway to clear the entire city of miscreants', military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told reporters at a briefing. Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira was also present on the occasion.

He said security forces had cleared the area from Circuit House to Makkan Pak including continental hotel while clearance of Nawan Kali had also started.

He said 17 terrorists were killed during the last 24 hours. A terrorist commander Khurshid known as Qasai has been captured from Mingora.

The security forces attacked caves used as ammunition dumps and logistic support at Kamber bridge and took control of the area killing six terrorists.

He said security forces have consolidated their position at Kamber bridge overlooking Mingora. During search and destroy operations, three caves with large quantities of ammunition were discovered.

A transmission station along with a base unit has also been captured. Intense exchange of fire is taking place at Nishat Chowk.

The military spokesman said terrorists were on the run in small groups from Peochar Valley after a successful operation by the security forces.

Locals of Peochar reveal that they were subjected to forced labour and atrocities by militants. They have also vowed to support the security forces in identification of the miscreants.

In Matta, the security forces have successfully cleared the vital Wanai Bridge linking Matta and Peochar consolidating their position in the area. During exchange of fire, one soldier was wounded and a miscreant commander Usman Butcher was killed.

Answering a question about the threat of terrorists reaching camps in the guise of internally displaced persons (IDPs), he said a proposal to house the IDPs at one place was under consideration. 'We are working on it, but no deadline can be given', he remarked.

He said the security forces were exercising utomost care to avoid maximum collateral damage. He however said the terrorists declare their accomplices killed during the operation as civilians as a tactic to bring a bad name for the security forces.

He said public support was an essential element required for the success of counter insurgency operations.

Responding to a question, he said there was no freedom of action in Mingora and it was not possible to know the exact number of civilians still there in the area. He however said that it could be an estimated 10 to 20 thousand civilians.

He said four to five thousand militants were operating in Swat out of which 1095 had so far been killed.
The military spokesman said new recruits and criminal elements had dissociated themselves from the terrorists and there were 1500 to 2000 hardcore militants.

Speaking about situation in Buner, he said the security forces had complete control over Sultanwas. He said the people of Pir Baba were raising a lashkar to flush out the terrorists on their own. He said the security forces will conduct operations if the idea did not materialize.

 

[muse]

Sources requesting anonymity are of the opinion that admission by U.S forces of their role in the movement of Talib and Islamist terrorists into Pakistan, has now created a possibility that U.S special forces under the protection of Islamists terrorists may now enter Pakistan posing as foreign fighters supporting the Talib. The rumour mill has also suggested that this prompted the attack on Mehsud.


Baitullah’s hideouts pounded in SWA

Saturday, May 23, 2009

By Mushtaq Yusufzai & Irfan Burki

PESHAWAR/WANA: As feared by the Mehsud tribesmen, security forces on Friday launched military offensive in the South Waziristan Agency (SWA). The action came a year after a secret peace deal with Baitullah Mehsud, official and tribal sources told The News.

According to sources, security forces rained artillery and mortar shells on suspected locations of the Baitullah Mehsud-led Taliban militants in the Mehsud inhabited areas of the South Waziristan tribal region. There were no details about any loss of life in the shelling.

When reached by telephone, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Maj-Gen Athar Abbas, however, denied launching of military operation in South Waziristan right now. He said the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) had taken some action but he had no further details.

On the other hand, official and tribal sources said security forces at Jandola and Manzai military camps began artillery shelling on the Taliban’s suspected positions in Srarogha, Kotkai and Spinkai Raghzai villages of Mehsud tribal people.

A security official on condition of anonymity told The News the artillery shelling was a reaction to the Thursday’s suicide attack near Jandola FC camp, in which 12 people were killed and several others injured.

According to sources, the shelling was started at a time when a 15-member Jirga of the Mehsud tribal elders and Ulema were holding talks with Baitullah Mehsud and his key commanders near Makeen.

The Political Agent of the South Waziristan Agency, Shahab Ali Shah, had convened a meeting of the Mehsud tribal Jirga in Tank a day earlier and sought their assistance in opening the Tank-Jandola and Jandola-Wana road.

The tribesmen have been avoiding travelling on the road due to insecurity caused by frequent terrorist attacks and growing loot and murder incidents. Security forces also restricted their movements on the usually busy Tank-Wana road due to likely terrorist attempts by the militants in the region.

The . Saleh Shah accused the government of deteriorating the situation by violating peace accords. He said it was the government that sent them to the Taliban for negotiation and then started artillery shelling on the Taliban’s positions.

“This practice by the government humiliated our position before the Taliban. There was no justification for the Jirga when the government believed in use of power,” the cleric-cum-parliamentarian remarked.
Also, he said, Baitullah Mehsud denied his involvement in the suicide attack near Jandola FC camp. Shah said he noticed that the Taliban militants were preparing themselves for likely military action against them.

Another noted tribal elder said during a meeting with the political agent, they felt that the government had already made up its mind to launch a full-scale military operation in the South Waziristan Agency. He said 80 per cent Mehsud tribesmen had shifted to downtowns in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts in the past few days due to fears of military operation.

 

[brilTek]

Originally posted by Mercenary_ali Is there any link through which I can see the documentary online.........

here u go brother... but u might have to wait for 24 hrs before u could watch it as u r not a member of this website

Dir say Swat Tak - 23 May 2009 | pkpolitics.com

For those, who can't wait for 24 hours, there is another link to start streaming now.

The documentary unfolds how army is conducting the Operation Rah-e-Rast

A Must Watch GEO TV Documentary - Dir Say Swat Tak, May 23, 2009

 

[Beskar]

BrilTek:

Thanks for the video! I haven't started watching it yet but just wanted to ask, does it have any other parts? Because for 15 minutes it sounds short for a documentary.

 

[brilTek]

BrilTek:

Thanks for the video! I haven't started watching it yet but just wanted to ask, does it have any other parts? Because for 15 minutes it sounds short for a documentary.

You are welcome brother, well only person that watch it on geo tv can confirm. My guess initial 5 mins or less part is missing.

 

[Owais]

Security forces take control of several key-places at Mingora

Updated at: 1207 PST, Sunday, May 24, 2009
Security forces take control of several key-places at Mingora PESHAWAR: Security forces have taken control of several strategic places in Swat main town, Mingora, while conducting an operation against the militants in Malakand.

Several militants were reportedly killed in security forces action in hilly areas of Tehsil Maidan of Dir Lower.

Security forces have secured several key areas in the Taliban-held main town of the Swat valley as they battle to gain control of the capital of the northwestern district, officials said Sunday. The ground assault on Mingora, a city with an estimated population of about 300,000 -- many of whom have fled -- marks the most crucial part of the military's blistering offensive against the Taliban in the scenic valley.

Officials said they had taken control of several important intersections and three squares in Mingora, including the notorious Green Square where the Islamist extremists reportedly carried out beheadings late last year.

A curfew remained in place in the city and gunfire could be heard, the official said, but there was no shelling overnight.

Security forces bombed militants’ hideouts at several places including Tehsil Kabal’s areas Kotli, Matta and Peuchar, but no casualty report was received. People were seen moving out for safer places, as persistent curfew has caused acute shortage of medicines and other daily-use items.

Dir Lower media center said that curfew will remain relaxed from 7.00 A.m. to 4.00 P.M., but there would be no curfew break in Chakra and Gulabad.