Pakistan digging 480km long trenches near Afghan border

[ghoul]

Hopefully, something would be done to stop illegal immigration from that country. They need to fix their own problems rather than making katchi abadis in neighbouring countries. Had Afghanistan been a rich country and Pakistan poor, they would never have played the pashtun card. They're the biggest economic leaches.

PS: Don't let another 10-20 million Afghans in after the upcoming civil war there. Some 3 million existing "refugees" are documented, but most of them are illegal or have bought ID cards. They should fix their own problems and get lost back to their own country. We have enough problems of our own.

 

[Zarvan]

By Pajhwok reporter Sep 11, 2014 - 12:19

KABUL (Pajhwok): Paramilitary troops in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province are digging 480-kilometre trenches along the border with Afghanistan to check what they call cross-border incursions, a news report said on Thursday.

Roughly 235 kilometres of the trenches have been dug up and the remainder could be completed by October 30, The Express Tribune reported, saying Rs260 million had been spent on the project so far.

Col. Faheem Babar, commandant of Qila Saifullah Scouts, told the newspapers: “We want to check incursions of terrorists and smugglers into Pakistan and the trenches will help control the situation along the border.”

Troops from Zhob militia, Qila Saifullah Scouts, Naushki militia, Taftan Rifles, Makran Scouts and Dalbandin Rifles are involved in digging the trenches, each eight feet deep and 10 feet wide.

At least 70 excavators, dumpers and other heavy machines are being used. One Frontier Constabulary official said up to 70 terrorists intruded into Pakistani territory from Afghanistan near the Murgha Faqirzai area in recent weeks.

But the soldiers foiled their attempts, he added. “There was a heavy exchange of fire which also killed an FC soldier while two terrorists were also
killed.”

PAN Monitor/mud

Pakistan digging trenches near Afghan border | Pajhwok Afghan News

Nice move

 

[ashwamedh]

What are they supposed to achieve........Trenches to control infiltration....Really in 2014........

 

[Zarvan]

What are they supposed to achieve........Trenches to control infiltration....Really in 2014........

Yes still quite effective

 

[OrionHunter]

I think it's a silly idea. Seriously, can a trench stop militants from getting across? Nope! All they need is to carry a cheap wooden ladder and lay it across the ten-foot trench in an area not under surveillance.

This is however a fairly effective anti-tank obstacle that in India is called the 'ditch cum bandh', which can slow the momentum of advancing mechanized columns for some time.

Finally, for an obstacle to be effective, it has to be covered by fire and observation. Otherwise it's of no use to man or beast. Therefore, how many posts are going to be established along its entire length of 480 kms? Where's the manpower? Logistics? Lines of communication (Meaning road infrastructure) along the entire length as well as connecting all posts to logistics nodes in the rear?

In short, this is a waste of precious time, money and resources.

 

[Zarvan]

Yes it can it can slow them down make easy to detect and when detected easy to attack

 

[Xray Lima]

i agree with you but keepin in mind army's reputation. they wudve analysed all the options , ths must have been the most suitabe measure , terrorist on foot can be stopped with this because veh cant coss trench so they have to walk ahead of the trench after crossing and its like sahara, they are not goin to make, now coming to vehicles they can cross by placing bamboos which they can bring along, for tht if they put a fence not suitable, both barbed wire and fence plus mines will make it absolutely effeective

 

[Kabira]

Guys this is just a start, in few years border will be mined.

 

[Winchester]

Need to mine it...plus barbed wires

 

[In arduis fidelis]

Why the members of PDF have tiny pea sized brains??
For God sake people this trench is the first phase which would definitely be followed by lights and bard wires and petrolling by FC.Why are you guys arguing over a pity matter of who small the trench is and what would be required to cross it.
Remeber the saying of Genghis Khan:"Walls are as strong as their defenders",i think that should put some prespective to your thoughts.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

First sentence, agree with it.

Second sentence, had Pakistan made a confederation with Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrew, things would have been different now not just for Afghanistan but for Pakistan and the region in general.

tht option was offered to Afghanistan long before that.,..

What are they supposed to achieve........Trenches to control infiltration....Really in 2014........

smuggling,movement of vehicles etc.. add barbed wires n FC patrolling...

Need to mine it...plus barbed wires

funny fact... afghans living on the other side also have Pak NICs..

 

[OrionHunter]

Why the members of PDF have tiny pea sized brains??
For God sake people this trench is the first phase which would definitely be followed by lights and bard wires and petrolling by FC.Why are you guys arguing over a pity matter of who small the trench is and what would be required to cross it.
Remeber the saying of Genghis Khan:"Walls are as strong as their defenders",i think that should put some prespective to your thoughts.

For starters, my brains are slightly bigger than peas!

Secondly, how do you know that this is the first phase? You must be involved in the project to be so sure, right?

Thirdly you mentioned patrolling by the FC. Patrolling 480 km would need how many FC soldiers? Let's know.

Fourthly your 'perspective' is rather warped.

 

[TankMan]

They should add a few extra lines of defence, a simple trench wont be enough. I'm sure they're planning to fortify the border properly, It should help keep the terrorists out. Some barbed wire and a minefield in a few places would help.

Constant surveillance and patrols are really difficult due to the terrain and lenght of the border, these kinds of steps are the best way to secure the border. It may not be completely secured but it will definitely help.

 

[metalfalcon]

Digging Just Trenches won't Help at all. Fill them with water and put crocodiles and sharks in these trenches.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Take over the land its there to be taking