Pakistani army: No new offensive for 6-12 months

[Mercenary]

I am disappointed by this news. How can the Pak Army expect to fight India, when these bands of thugs have tired it out.

The Pakistani Army appears exhausted and needs 6 - 12 months to rebuild its strength before it launches any new offensive.

The Turks were relentless against the PKK, the Colombians were the same against the FARC and even the Sri Lankans did not stop until they totally crushed the LTTE.

Pak should not take these breaks. The Taliban will regain their strength.

Pakistani army: No new offensive for 6-12 months

Pakistani army: No new offensive for 6-12 months - Yahoo! News

36 mins ago

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani army says it can't launch any new offensives against militants for six months to a year to give it time to stabilize existing gains.

Army spokesman Gen. Athar Abbas revealed the news to reporters traveling with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday.

The U.S. has pressed Pakistan to target militants using its territory to launch cross-border attacks against coalition troops in Afghanistan.

But Abbas' comments make clear that Pakistan will remain focused in the short-term on operations targeting militants waging war against the state.

The Pakistani army launched a major ground offensive against the Pakistani Taliban's main stronghold in the South Waziristan tribal area in mid-October.


ISLAMABAD (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said his talks Thursday with Pakistan's military and civilian leaders are intended to explain the U.S. war strategy in neighboring Afghanistan.

Gates will reassure Pakistan that the United States is "in this for the long haul," he told reporters traveling with him to Islamabad from India.

The Pentagon chief said he won't directly press Pakistan to expand its military campaign against militant forces. Instead he will ask his hosts what their plans are.

Gates' first meeting Thursday is with Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar. He also has separate meetings scheduled with Prime Minister Yousaf Reza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The U.S. wants Pakistan to broaden its offensive to border areas where members of the Afghan Taliban have been seeking refuge. In an essay published Thursday in The News, an English-language Pakistani newspaper, Gates wrote of the need to keep pressure on militants on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

"I know there is concern that an increased U.S. presence in Afghanistan will lead to more attacks in Pakistan," Gates wrote. "It is important to remember that the Pakistani Taliban operates in collusion with both the Taliban in Afghanistan and al-Qaida, so it is impossible to separate these groups."

"Only by pressuring all of these groups on both sides of the border will Afghanistan and Pakistan be able to rid themselves of this scourge for good — to destroy those who promote the use of terror here and abroad," Gates said.

On of the goals of his trip, he said, is "a broader strategic dialogue — on the link between Afghanistan's stability and Pakistan's; stability in the broader region; the threat of extremism in Asia; efforts to reduce illicit drugs and their damaging global impact; and the importance of maritime security and cooperation."

 

[amarnath]

If this news is true, its nit good at all.... Perhaps in a way yes, More than 4 months of continues offence will make them tired for sure..... But they still are brave and are fighting with the taliban, They are there to Die for the country, I dont think they will be exhausted when they have that in Mind

 

[Ahmad]

i am sure they are not exhausted, they probably have their reason for this decision.

 

[black tiger]

Hi, i think it is more of a stratergic ploy as most of TTP controlled areas have been liberated, now what is left is afghan taliban by playing for time, PA is hedging their bets in afghanistan. I think it's a smart short term move.
Regards....

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Pakistan army says no anti-militant operations in 2010

Pakistan's army has said it will launch no new offensives on militants in 2010, as the US defence secretary arrived for talks on combating Taliban fighters.

Army spokesman Athar Abbas told the BBC the "overstretched" military had no plans for any fresh anti-militant operations over the next 12 months.

The US wants Pakistan to expand an offensive against militants launching cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.

Washington is planning to send tens of thousands more troops to Afghanistan.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates flew in on Thursday to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, from Delhi.

'Snub' to Washington

He was expected to tell Pakistan that it could do more against top Taliban leaders operating in its territory, some of whom are alleged to have close links to Pakistan's ISI intelligence service.

The Pakistani army launched major ground offensives last year against Pakistani Taliban strongholds in the South Waziristan and Swat areas.

The militants have hit back with a wave of suicide bombings and attacks that have killed hundreds of people across Pakistan.

In Islamabad on Thursday, Maj Gen Abbas, head of public relations for the Pakistan army, told the BBC: "We are not going to conduct any major new operations against the militants over the next 12 months.

"The Pakistan army is overstretched and it is not in a position to open any new fronts. Obviously, we will continue our present operations in Waziristan and Swat."

The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the comments are a clear snub to top US officials, and are likely to put Pakistan's shaky coalition government in an embarrassing position with its US ally.

Pakistan has been an important US partner in South Asia since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US.

No new offensive in 2010

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

i am sure they are not exhausted, they probably have their reason for this decision.

What makes you so sure ...?

 

[Ahmad]

What makes you so sure ...?

army guys are trained in tough conditions and operations in SW and Swat shouldnt be hugely hugely bad and exhusting for them, if that is the case then what can we say about pakistani army.

 

[TaimiKhan]

They have not been exhausted, all they need is time to clear the current area which they have captured, as large areas are still to be cleared. Just see Swat, still on daily basis militants being killed and captured and even in Malakand, there are still areas which army has not checked out fully.

Same for SWA, there is still 20% of the hardest area still to be taken by from the militants. If Army moves into any new area, it will have to lighten its troop concentration in the already captured area, thus giving militants the room to come into these areas, so end result would be the same.

PA can't release more troops, as already a hundred thousand troops are engaged and they have to clear our the Kurran-Orakzai Agencies too, as the militants have assembled there.

So the strategy is right, but if someone wishes to think it as a ploy to get more time, they are most welcome.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

army guys are trained in tough conditions and operations in SW and Swat shouldnt be hugely hugely bad and exhusting for them, if that is the case then what can we say about pakistani army.

So are you tryin to say that PA is just making a lame excuse for not fighting these terrorists . Let me tell you there is no other entity except for PA which knows the ground realities best, in the Whole Waziristan agency . There are limitations especially the logistical due to the terrain and the nature of COIN warefare . PA isnt trained for COIN warefare but rather a conventional war . Its a very hard enemy which PA faces and with the given resources ...

It would be futile to underestimate the capabilities of PA . This decision reflects more of professionalism which the PA has in conducting ops in its theater of
War . " Slow and Steady wins the race " ...!

 

[Ahmad]

So are you tryin to say that PA is just making a lame excuse for not fighting these terrorists . Let me tell you there is no other entity except for PA which knows the ground realities best, in the Whole Waziristan agency . There are limitations especially the logistical due to the terrain and the nature of COIN warefare . PA isnt trained for COIN warefare but rather a conventional war . Its a very hard enemy which PA faces and with the given resources ...

It would be futile to underestimate the capabilities of PA . This decision reflects more of professionalism which the PA has in conducting ops in its theater of
War . " Slow and Steady wins the race " ...!

dont be silly, when i said about pakistan army reasons it was military reason and they wanted to have firm control of the taken area before they do anything else. read people's comment's properly before replying to it.

 

[Saleem]

It is because of Indian adventurism - statements by the Army chief etc threatening Pakistan - Pakistan may even have to pull to pull out forces from the West to have a reserve for the East....I should be ready for the sneak attack in the East - as the Indians are already supporting the terrorists in the West of the country.

 

[waraich66]

So are you tryin to say that PA is just making a lame excuse for not fighting these terrorists . Let me tell you there is no other entity except for PA which knows the ground realities best, in the Whole Waziristan agency . There are limitations especially the logistical due to the terrain and the nature of COIN warefare . PA isnt trained for COIN warefare but rather a conventional war . Its a very hard enemy which PA faces and with the given resources ...

It would be futile to underestimate the capabilities of PA . This decision reflects more of professionalism which the PA has in conducting ops in its theater of
War . " Slow and Steady wins the race " ...!

PA only captured few villages in central waziristan but in north and south areas are still under Haqqani and Gul Bahadar control and Afghan Talaban are at west side near Pak Afghan boarder .

It is not easy to secure whole waziristan in one operation , PA may need 120000 more troops , in that case eastern and Kashmir boarders will be soften.

 

[graphican]

I think Pakistan is trying the better approach to eliminate these miscreants. First by cornering them with brute force, second by isolating them and reducing their support from the people around. The waiting approach is part of second strategy and there are news that Mehsood tribes are ready to hand over all the wanted terrorists plus Hakeem Ullah Mehsood. What else would you call it but a clan sweep, we will get all the people we want and we will also get public on our side.

We must not forget that this was is not with people of the area but a small percentage who think it is right to attack Pakistan as they are supporters of WAT. If our policies are right (and which are appearing right as all the 7 conditions have been accepted) we wont need to take any military action even after 6 months.

 

[waraich66]

Analysis: Waziristan operation to focus on Baitullah Mehsud
By Bill RoggioJune 17, 2009 2:18 AM

As the Pakistani military gears up for what appears to be a major operation into the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan, the government and military are signaling that the operation is limited to taking out Baitullah Mehsud. The three other powerful Taliban groups based in North and South Waziristan do not appear to be on the Pakistan Army’s target list.

The South Waziristan operation, called Rah-e-Nijat, or the Way of Salvation, is already underway, according to the Pakistani military’s top spokesman. The military has been positioning troops and armor in the neighboring district of Tank while conducting artillery and airstrikes into regions run by Baitullah Mehsud, the overall commander of the Pakistani Taliban. The main roads in the region are also being blocked to cut off supplies to Baitullah's forces. Further north the military is battling the Taliban in the Jani Khel and Baka Khel regions in Bannu, which borders North Waziristan.

Yesterday the Pakistani military announced that it has received orders to take on Baitullah's powerful Taliban faction in South Waziristan.

"The Army has received requisite orders from the government," Major General Athar Abbas said yesterday during a briefing in Rawalpindi. "Necessary steps and measures are being taken by the military to launch the operation."

Abbas was clear that the focus of the operation will be Baitullah Mehsud. Not mentioned were Taliban commanders Mullah Nazir and Hafiz Gul Bahadar and the powerful Haqqani network.

"The government has taken a principled decision to launch a military operation against Baitullah and his network," Abbas stated. "It would be premature to discuss tactics or when we will target the person in question," Abbas said, continuing to focus on Baitullah specifically.

Baitullah Mehsud is only part of the problem

While Baitullah and his network of fighters and suicide bombers have wreaked havoc on Pakistan, and his tribal areas have served as a major safe haven for al Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and a host of Punjabi and Kashmiri terror groups, he is but part of the problem in the war-torn country.

Nazir, Bahadar, and the Haqqanis each host their share of training camps and safe houses for al Qaeda and allied terror movements. The groups also conduct cross-border attacks against Coalition and Afghan forces in Afghanistan. Nazir and Bahadar's forces largely fight in the southern and southeastern provinces of Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Ghazni, and Uruzgan, Afghanistan, while the Haqqanis are active in Khost, Paktika. and Paktia. Siraj Haqqani, the son of famed mujahedeen commander Jalaluddin, is one of the most wanted men in Afghanistan, as his network has been behind some of the most deadly attacks in the country.

Nazir and Bahadar have formed an alliance with Baitullah at the behest of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, Osama bin Laden, and Jalaluddin Haqqani. In February, Nazir, Bahadar, and Baitullah formed the United Mujahideen Council and vowed to pool forces to fight the Pakistani state if the military moved into the tribal areas. The council also agreed to continue the jihad in Afghanistan and strike at the US and India.

Nazir and Bahadar are considered "pro-government Taliban" by the Pakistani military and government because they have opposed fighting the Pakistani military and prefer to focus their attention of Afghanistan. The military has cut peace deals with Nazir and Bahadar in the past. These deals are still in effect despite the formation of the United Mujahideen Council and the declaration against the Pakistani state. The Pakistani military also openly supported Nazir as he sought to eject elements of the Islamic Jihad Union, an Uzbek terror group, from his tribal areas.

The Haqqanis have been virtually untouchable. The group operates openly in North Waziristan and runs a network of madrassas in the region.

And the Haqqanis are widely supported by the Pakistani military. In May 2008, General Ashfaq Kayani, Pakistan's senior military officer, was overheard by the CIA referring to Jalaluddin Haqqani as "a strategic asset." The CIA also found evidence linking the Pakistani military and intelligence service to last summer's suicide attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul.

The Haqqanis are well respected by all of the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban groups. The Haqqanis have mediated tribal disputes between Baitullah and Nazir and Bahadar, as well as settled the contentious issue between Nazir and the Uzbeks.

The Pakistani military is reportedly seeking to cut deals with Nazir, Bahadar, and the Haqqanis to keep them on the sideline as the Army takes on Baitullah's forces in the upcoming operation. Frantic negotiations are underway with Nazir and Bahadar, both members of the Wazir tribe.

"We have been shuttling between the Taliban and the government for three days to reach some sort of an understanding to keep the Taliban from joining Baitullah,” Waziri tribal elders told Daily Times.

A Baitullah-only operation is a half measure

While taking on Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan is a welcome sign that the government seeks to sustain the offensive against the Taliban which began in late April in Dir, Buner, and Swat, a failure to act against Bahadar, Nazir, and the Haqqanis will leave the Taliban with much of their forces intact. And al Qaeda will remain secure in their havens in North and South Waziristan.

The Taliban warlords may also provide Baitullah and his forces a safe haven if he refuses to commit all of his forces to oppose the Pakistani military in South Waziristan, just as Mullah Fazlullah's forces conduct a tactical retreat in the Swat Valley.

Baitullah, his leaders, and a select group of fighters could take shelter in the Haqqani areas in North Waziristan. Baitullah could also transit the neighboring tribal areas and head across the border into southern or southeastern Afghanistan and wait out the Pakistani Army, which by all reports does not have the desire to remain in the tribal areas.

A failure to tackle these commanders also leaves the military exposed to a potential counterattack. Bahadar, the Haqqanis, and Nazir are estimated to have more than 50,000 forces combined. If they decide to honor their agreement with Baitullah under the United Mujahideen Council, these forces could join the estimated 30,000 under Baitullah's command, and slug it out with the Pakistani Army in rugged, mountainous terrain that is well suited to favor the defenders.

The military may be left with no choice but to fight Bahadar and Nazir if they decide to honor their agreement with Baitullah. One of the two leaders has indicated they may be willing to take on the Army. Last week, Bahadar sent hundreds of his fighters to battle the Army in the Jani Khel region of Bannu.

In addition to the forces potentially available from the three senior Taliban leaders, Baitullah’s deputies in the tribal areas are said to have tens of thousands of fighters under their command. Hakeemullah Mehsud, Baitullah's cousin and deputy, is estimated to have more than 8,000 at his disposal in Kurram and Arakzai. Omar Khalid, the able commander in Mohmand, is said to have more than 5,000 fighters. Bajaur's Faqir Mohammed and Swat's Mullah Fazlullah also are estimated to have 5,000 fighters each. The Uzbek fighters under Tahir Yuldashev are said to have more than 4,000 fighters at their disposal. Rehmanullah and Hazrat Ali, Hakeemullah's deputies in Khyber, are said to lead more than 1,200 fighters. And al Qaeda's paramilitary Shadow Army, which operates in both Afghanistan and in Pakistan's tribal areas, has between 8,000 to 12,000 fighters in its ranks.

The military is currently conducting offensives against the Taliban in Swat, Arakzai, Bannu, Bajaur, and Mohmand, but it remains to be seen if these offensives will be sustained. If the Pakistani military eases the pressure on these areas, some of these fighters will be freed up to reinforce Baitullah, making a tough task of dislodging the Taliban commander all the more difficult.

Background on recent fighting in North and South Waziristan

The Pakistani military has avoided targeting the Taliban in North and South Waziristan after suffering a string of humiliating defeats there between 2004 and 2008. The most recent operations in Waziristan resulted in peace agreements that have ceded control of the region to the Taliban.

The last time the Pakistani military took on the Taliban in North Waziristan was in October 2007. The Pakistani military and the Taliban fought pitched battles after the military launched artillery barrages and helicopter and attack aircraft assaults against Taliban-controlled villages in North Waziristan.

The Taliban responded by setting up complex ambushes, including surface-to-air missile traps, a senior US military intelligence official told The Long War Journal. Several Pakistani Army helicopters were said to have been shot down during the fighting. The Pakistani military claimed that 120 Taliban and 45 soldiers were killed in the fighting, but independent reports put the number of soldiers killed much higher.

At the end of October 2007, the government pushed for a peace deal and the fighting waned. The Taliban, led by the Haqqani Network and Hafiz Gul Bahadar, remained entrenched in the region. In February 2008, an official peace agreement was signed.

The last major operation against the Taliban in South Waziristan took place in late January 2008. The military launched an offensive with the declared aim of dislodging Baitullah Mehsud's forces from entrenched positions. Prior to the military’s offensive, the Taliban overran two military forts and conducted numerous attacks against Pakistani forces. More than a dozen of Pakistan’s elite counterterrorism commandos were killed in a single engagement.

The military claimed to have ejected the Taliban from strongholds in Kotkai and Jandola, and said it killed Qari Hussain. Hussain later mocked the government during a press conference in May 2008.

Just 11 days after the fighting in South Waziristan had begun, the military sued for peace. The Taliban retook control of Jandola four months later, after murdering dozens from a rival tribe while the military looked on. The military has since abandoned several forts in South Waziristan and has kept activity there to a minimum.

Taliban forces belonging to Baitullah, Mullah Nazir, Hafiz Gul Bahadar, and the Haqqanis, led by Siraj, have only grown stronger since defeating the Pakistani military during engagements in 2007 and 2008. Tens of thousands of fighters are under the collective command of the leaders. The recent alliance between Baitullah, Nazir, and Bahadar has unified the Waziristan Taliban.

Read more: Analysis: Waziristan operation to focus on Baitullah Mehsud - The Long War Journal

 

[Fireurimagination]

It's not a question of getting exhausted or anything but surely PA doesn't want itself to stretch thin, I guess the proxy war PA is up against doesn't even call for capturing vast territory and then find it difficult to hold on to the same especially when half of PA's attention is eastwards but what if uncle sam pushes for "do more"