Without local support, getting close to target while armed, well versed in plan, rested and motivated is not easy.
Imagine it’s a one way trip, one last mission, no one would go in half hearted or tired or exhausted.
In this case, TTP said they will attack and they did so army was prepared and on alert. So is this an intel success ? Is this a successful defensive mission ? Does this show that heli QRF is effective ? Does SSG need to be called in every time everywhere ?
Pk mentioned drones and lots of dead TTP - bottom line, PA was prepared.
However consider this, how do you define success of a mission ? Lesser number killed than enemy ? Strategic goals met over long term ? Killing of a leader ? Not taking any damage ? Or just a successful mission which meets its aims ?
What if one lucky shot of RPG had killed 6 soldiers while only two terrorists would be killed and rest ran away ? After all, they didn’t capture any land neither destroyed an important installation like dam, air base, parliament etc.
What are the metrics of success ?