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PEOCHAR OPERATION
"OPERATION PEOCHAR" BY SIPAHI HAFIZ MOHAMMED KHAN
Upon returning from Buner, our battalion (affectionately known as the “Pawindaz”) was beckoned by the land of Swat. In Swat, the village of Peochar held a very significant value because in the past few years it had been organized and turned into a strong defensive position by the miscreants. GOC SSG (Maj Gen Haroon Aslam) tasked our Commanding Officer, Lt Col Irfan Zafar (TB), with this operation. On the evening of 15th May 2009, force composition for the mission was decided upon. It included one team from Ibrahim Company commanded by Capt Bilal Zafar while the second one was led by Naib Subedar Sabir. One team from Hamza company was commanded by Naib Subedar Daud, in addition two teams from Zakria company were to be led by Capt Tufail Butt and Naib Subedar Arif respectively. The entire force consisted of about 50 operators and was under the overall command of Major Sardar.
At 0400 PST on the morning of 16th May, as this lead team was leaving for the mission, a quiet resolve was evident on the faces of my highly motivated comrades. Upon landing in the area, we immediately took fire from terrorists who were hiding there. We disembarked from the helis as quickly as possible, took positions and returned fire. Upon effective SSG counter-fire, the heavy weapons of the miscreants were silenced however their snipers remained active. The welcome that we received was exactly as per the expected tradition! By dusk we were able to consolidate our positions. In the meantime, GOC SSG also arrived and motivated the troops of the Pawinda battalion stating “I hope that you keep in mind the pride and hopes with which we the SSG have been asked to accomplish this task, so you must ensure that you make the Country, Pak Army and the SSG proud”.
The target was in front of us. Enemy snipers were in their positions and ready for the expected attack. We were briefed by the Staff Officer, Maj Asif regarding the terrain and enemy positions. At night, under the command of Maj Sardar, 50 operators started closing in on enemy positions for a decisive mission. Being mountainous terrain, the path to the enemy positions, if one could even call it a path, was full of natural obstacles. After an eight hour journey, the force reached the target at approximately 0500 in the morning. As dawn broke, sipahi Rafaqat was the first one to set foot on Ghazanosar. Maj Sardar deployed the force and ordered Capt Bilal to secure one of the higher peaks. As Capt Bilal started advancing toward the peak with his team, the enemy opened up fire yet captain Bilal, while keeping his officer commanding updated with the situation, kept advancing. He was determined to capture this peak. The team was still some distance from the target when a RPG round hit Capt Bilal and this brave son of the nation attained martyrdom. After Capt Bilal fell, Capt Zafeel Butt took over and secured the peak. Soldiers Mohammed Maroof and Majid sustained injuries during this assault and the exchange of fire carried on throughout the day. Despite being hungry and tired, the whole unit remained in high spirits and the level of motivation was as such that every operator was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if needed. Naik Sher Nawaz and sipahi Zulfiqar, crawling and taking advantage of the terrain, approached the enemy bunkers and lobbed grenades causing heavy casualties to the miscreants.
A message from GOC, ordering us to capture the last remaining peak in Ghazanosar before dusk, really lifted our spirits. Maj Sardar planned the operation and heavy artillery fire was called upon from the fire base being commanded by Capt Aamir. The miscreants withdrew in the face of heavy artillery fire. There were approximately 70-80 miscreants on this peak and as soon as Capt Tufail Butt’s team approached the valley, the terrorists opened fire. Charged up by the recent martyrdom of Capt Bilal, the team pressed on with its attack. One round in the chest felled sipahi Zulfiqar and shortly thereafter sipahi Amjad Iqbal and Lance Naik Gulzar were also injured. The terrorists could not withstand the fierce assault and withdrew. The victorious force offered late night prayers on the Ghazanosar peak and successfully came up to the expectations of the nation.
As difficult as it had been to occupy the peak, retaining it proved to be just as difficult since the area was rather large and there were only a few troops available. However for highly motivated troops this did not remain an obstacle. At the slope of this peak, there is a village by the name of Talkar. As there is a gradual slope from the peak toward this village, it was felt that if there was to be a counter attack, it would have come from this direction and since we had received additional manpower, two teams commanded by Maj Azeem and Naib Subedar Daud were positioned on the side of the peak facing the village. Their task was to monitor any movement from the village side and repulse any attacks. Thus began the game of endurance as it was cold, with almost daily rain and sometimes even snow. There was only one stream of water which happened to be very close to the Peochar town. Only once a day a team used to go to fetch water and this water was used for the rest of the day. We received orders to carry out a search operation in Peochar. On the first day, under the command of commandant – Special Operations School, Col Sajid, the Talkar village was searched. In this operation two teams from Yaldrum battalion also participated. “Pawandaz” were being commanded by Maj Azeem and with him were Capt Tufail and Naib Suberdar Daud with their teams. After two days the search operation in Peochar was launched and on the first day we discovered large number of heavy weapons, explosives, suicide vests and a chemical laboratory which was set on fire. During the next phase, tunnels dug by terrorists and their houses were blown up. A cave in which enemy was present was also blown up by Naib Subedar Daud. These actions were carried out by the teams of Naik Subedar Rafiq, Naik Subedar Arif and Naib Subedar Daud under the overall command of Maj Sardar.
To the north of Ghazanosar is a very high peak designated 2529 and the enemy was spotted there roaming freely. We used to hear artillery fire engaging them from the guns of 19 Division with which we were to linkup. In the meantime Operation Commander Col Sajid and Lt Col Irfan Zaffar (TB) also returned to the theater. We received orders from the Div HQ to secure peak 2529. Major Sardar carried out the operational planning and it was decided that teams led by Capt Tufail Butt, Naib Subedar Arif, and Naib Subedar Daud would act as pathfinders. We started advancing at 2100 and after a very tough mountainous trek, reached and secured peak 2529 around 0500 in the morning. Around afternoon time, the enemy raided our position to collect bodies of their comrades but the attack was successfully repulsed. Three soldiers, Lance Naik Niaz Saqi, sipahi Mohammed Imtiaz and sipahi Asrar Ahmed received injuries. In the wake of their escape, the enemy left behind ammunition and other equipment. In front of peak 2529 was Shalkosar peak which was a terrorist strong point where they had employed high caliber weapons including 14.5mm and 12.7mm machine guns. Since the enemy had occupied this peak for a while, they had been able to dig tunnels and build strong bunkers as part of their defensive positions. For as long as this peak remained in the hands of the enemy, our linkup with the rest of the force would have been impossible.
Lt Col Irfan Zaffar (TB) ordered the force to advance under the command of Maj Sardar. During the night, three teams led by Capt Tufail Butt, Naib Subedar Arif and Naib Subedar Daud were to act as pathfinders. Along the route, on both sides, there were enemy supply depots and accommodations which had to be eliminated. This task was carried out by Capt Arif’s team and they neutralized these terrorist hideouts and structures. Around 0300 in the morning we were also able to secure the Shalkosar peak. The enemy had fled in disarray leaving behind a large cache of weapons, food/water and even their beds!
Thus concluded the mission tasked to the “Pawindaz” by GOC SSG. The mission was accomplished successfully due to prayers of our countrymen and the kindness of God Almighty.
On the orders of Maj Sardar, Havildar Khan raised the Pakistan flag on Shalkosar peak and with that the entire Peochar valley started reverberating with the ring of “Pakistan Zindabad!” (Long Live Pakistan).
The next day Maj Sardar, along with Naik Subedar Arif’s team, linked up with a Punjab Regiment battalion. This successfully concluded our mission.
[Note: In Pic Expected Next COAS GOC-SSG Lt.Gen Haroon Aslam Who Commanded Guerilla Operations]
Detail of the Operation courtesy by ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) Pakistan
DATEAUGUST 17, 2013
"OPERATION PEOCHAR" BY SIPAHI HAFIZ MOHAMMED KHAN
Upon returning from Buner, our battalion (affectionately known as the “Pawindaz”) was beckoned by the land of Swat. In Swat, the village of Peochar held a very significant value because in the past few years it had been organized and turned into a strong defensive position by the miscreants. GOC SSG (Maj Gen Haroon Aslam) tasked our Commanding Officer, Lt Col Irfan Zafar (TB), with this operation. On the evening of 15th May 2009, force composition for the mission was decided upon. It included one team from Ibrahim Company commanded by Capt Bilal Zafar while the second one was led by Naib Subedar Sabir. One team from Hamza company was commanded by Naib Subedar Daud, in addition two teams from Zakria company were to be led by Capt Tufail Butt and Naib Subedar Arif respectively. The entire force consisted of about 50 operators and was under the overall command of Major Sardar.
At 0400 PST on the morning of 16th May, as this lead team was leaving for the mission, a quiet resolve was evident on the faces of my highly motivated comrades. Upon landing in the area, we immediately took fire from terrorists who were hiding there. We disembarked from the helis as quickly as possible, took positions and returned fire. Upon effective SSG counter-fire, the heavy weapons of the miscreants were silenced however their snipers remained active. The welcome that we received was exactly as per the expected tradition! By dusk we were able to consolidate our positions. In the meantime, GOC SSG also arrived and motivated the troops of the Pawinda battalion stating “I hope that you keep in mind the pride and hopes with which we the SSG have been asked to accomplish this task, so you must ensure that you make the Country, Pak Army and the SSG proud”.
The target was in front of us. Enemy snipers were in their positions and ready for the expected attack. We were briefed by the Staff Officer, Maj Asif regarding the terrain and enemy positions. At night, under the command of Maj Sardar, 50 operators started closing in on enemy positions for a decisive mission. Being mountainous terrain, the path to the enemy positions, if one could even call it a path, was full of natural obstacles. After an eight hour journey, the force reached the target at approximately 0500 in the morning. As dawn broke, sipahi Rafaqat was the first one to set foot on Ghazanosar. Maj Sardar deployed the force and ordered Capt Bilal to secure one of the higher peaks. As Capt Bilal started advancing toward the peak with his team, the enemy opened up fire yet captain Bilal, while keeping his officer commanding updated with the situation, kept advancing. He was determined to capture this peak. The team was still some distance from the target when a RPG round hit Capt Bilal and this brave son of the nation attained martyrdom. After Capt Bilal fell, Capt Zafeel Butt took over and secured the peak. Soldiers Mohammed Maroof and Majid sustained injuries during this assault and the exchange of fire carried on throughout the day. Despite being hungry and tired, the whole unit remained in high spirits and the level of motivation was as such that every operator was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if needed. Naik Sher Nawaz and sipahi Zulfiqar, crawling and taking advantage of the terrain, approached the enemy bunkers and lobbed grenades causing heavy casualties to the miscreants.
A message from GOC, ordering us to capture the last remaining peak in Ghazanosar before dusk, really lifted our spirits. Maj Sardar planned the operation and heavy artillery fire was called upon from the fire base being commanded by Capt Aamir. The miscreants withdrew in the face of heavy artillery fire. There were approximately 70-80 miscreants on this peak and as soon as Capt Tufail Butt’s team approached the valley, the terrorists opened fire. Charged up by the recent martyrdom of Capt Bilal, the team pressed on with its attack. One round in the chest felled sipahi Zulfiqar and shortly thereafter sipahi Amjad Iqbal and Lance Naik Gulzar were also injured. The terrorists could not withstand the fierce assault and withdrew. The victorious force offered late night prayers on the Ghazanosar peak and successfully came up to the expectations of the nation.
As difficult as it had been to occupy the peak, retaining it proved to be just as difficult since the area was rather large and there were only a few troops available. However for highly motivated troops this did not remain an obstacle. At the slope of this peak, there is a village by the name of Talkar. As there is a gradual slope from the peak toward this village, it was felt that if there was to be a counter attack, it would have come from this direction and since we had received additional manpower, two teams commanded by Maj Azeem and Naib Subedar Daud were positioned on the side of the peak facing the village. Their task was to monitor any movement from the village side and repulse any attacks. Thus began the game of endurance as it was cold, with almost daily rain and sometimes even snow. There was only one stream of water which happened to be very close to the Peochar town. Only once a day a team used to go to fetch water and this water was used for the rest of the day. We received orders to carry out a search operation in Peochar. On the first day, under the command of commandant – Special Operations School, Col Sajid, the Talkar village was searched. In this operation two teams from Yaldrum battalion also participated. “Pawandaz” were being commanded by Maj Azeem and with him were Capt Tufail and Naib Suberdar Daud with their teams. After two days the search operation in Peochar was launched and on the first day we discovered large number of heavy weapons, explosives, suicide vests and a chemical laboratory which was set on fire. During the next phase, tunnels dug by terrorists and their houses were blown up. A cave in which enemy was present was also blown up by Naib Subedar Daud. These actions were carried out by the teams of Naik Subedar Rafiq, Naik Subedar Arif and Naib Subedar Daud under the overall command of Maj Sardar.
To the north of Ghazanosar is a very high peak designated 2529 and the enemy was spotted there roaming freely. We used to hear artillery fire engaging them from the guns of 19 Division with which we were to linkup. In the meantime Operation Commander Col Sajid and Lt Col Irfan Zaffar (TB) also returned to the theater. We received orders from the Div HQ to secure peak 2529. Major Sardar carried out the operational planning and it was decided that teams led by Capt Tufail Butt, Naib Subedar Arif, and Naib Subedar Daud would act as pathfinders. We started advancing at 2100 and after a very tough mountainous trek, reached and secured peak 2529 around 0500 in the morning. Around afternoon time, the enemy raided our position to collect bodies of their comrades but the attack was successfully repulsed. Three soldiers, Lance Naik Niaz Saqi, sipahi Mohammed Imtiaz and sipahi Asrar Ahmed received injuries. In the wake of their escape, the enemy left behind ammunition and other equipment. In front of peak 2529 was Shalkosar peak which was a terrorist strong point where they had employed high caliber weapons including 14.5mm and 12.7mm machine guns. Since the enemy had occupied this peak for a while, they had been able to dig tunnels and build strong bunkers as part of their defensive positions. For as long as this peak remained in the hands of the enemy, our linkup with the rest of the force would have been impossible.
Lt Col Irfan Zaffar (TB) ordered the force to advance under the command of Maj Sardar. During the night, three teams led by Capt Tufail Butt, Naib Subedar Arif and Naib Subedar Daud were to act as pathfinders. Along the route, on both sides, there were enemy supply depots and accommodations which had to be eliminated. This task was carried out by Capt Arif’s team and they neutralized these terrorist hideouts and structures. Around 0300 in the morning we were also able to secure the Shalkosar peak. The enemy had fled in disarray leaving behind a large cache of weapons, food/water and even their beds!
Thus concluded the mission tasked to the “Pawindaz” by GOC SSG. The mission was accomplished successfully due to prayers of our countrymen and the kindness of God Almighty.
On the orders of Maj Sardar, Havildar Khan raised the Pakistan flag on Shalkosar peak and with that the entire Peochar valley started reverberating with the ring of “Pakistan Zindabad!” (Long Live Pakistan).
The next day Maj Sardar, along with Naik Subedar Arif’s team, linked up with a Punjab Regiment battalion. This successfully concluded our mission.
[Note: In Pic Expected Next COAS GOC-SSG Lt.Gen Haroon Aslam Who Commanded Guerilla Operations]
Detail of the Operation courtesy by ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) Pakistan
DATEAUGUST 17, 2013
