Plan for operation in Northern Waziristan finalised

[Babur]

Finally, this is long overdue,The Haqqani Network and the Pakistani Taliban are based in Northern Waziristan.However there remains to be any actions taken against the Afghan Taliban in Quetta.

Plan for operation in N. Waziristan finalised: Mullen By Anwar Iqbal | From the Newspaper (15 hours ago) Today


Apparently, an understanding for the offensive was reached during the recent visit to Pakistan by Secretary Clinton and Admiral Mullen. – File Photo


WASHINGTON: The US military chief, Admiral Mike Mullen, said on Monday that the Pakistani government would launch a major offensive on militants in North Waziristan.

“It’s a very important fight and a very important operation,” the outgoing chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff told a television network.

In several interviews to US television channels, Admiral Mullen said part of his job as chairman had been to try and “close the trust gap” between the United States and Pakistan, which had built up over many years.

continued

Mr Mullen said he visited Pakistan last week with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to “show the strength in terms of our commitment” because “we’re going through a difficult patch right now after the (Osama) bin Laden operation”. The United States has long demanded the operation to eliminate the Haqqani network, which Washington claims is protected by Pakistanis. Apparently, an understanding for the offensive was reached during the recent visit to Pakistan by Secretary Clinton and Admiral Mullen. According to the plan, Pakistani aircraft will “soften up” militant targets before ground troops move in to wind up the operation. Pakistan had already prepared a blueprint for the offensive, which was finalised during the Clinton-Mullen visit. Pakistani diplomatic sources in Washington confirmed that “both sides have agreed in principle to carry out the offensive”, but like their counterparts in Islamabad, they refused to say when they expect the operation to begin. Pakistan maintains about 140,000 troops in the tribal region but military experts in Washington say it will have to bring in more troops for the operation to succeed. “We were very frank with them and they were very frank with us,” said Admiral Mullen while describing his meetings with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad last week. “On the army side right now there is a very significant introspective look and review that is ongoing. And I think they are going to have to get through that. And that makes sense to me,” he said. “I did hear from the military leadership their continued commitment to look ahead and work with us and we think that’s important.” Admiral Mullen said the reports of his allegedly tense conversations with Pakistani leaders were ‘overstated’. “We had a very good, frank, open discussion that touched on a wide range of issues. We thought it was important to have the meeting face to face to reaffirm the commitment to the relationship,” he said. “The Bin Laden raid, specifically is something that I know the Pakistani military, the Pakistani intelligence agencies are focusing on.” Admiral Mullen noted that Pakistan was located in a very critical part of the world. “We have common interests, and it’s important that both sides continue to commit to eradicating those terrorists.” The US military chief pointed out that in the US “one of the things that does not get enough focus is the sacrifices that the Pakistani military has made over the course of the last several years”. They have lost thousands of soldiers in this fight while “10-plus thousand” were wounded. “They have a significant internal threat and I think it’s vital that we continue to try to figure out a way ahead, even through these most difficult of times,” the admiral said. The US military chief said the “most important part” of his and Secretary Clinton’s meetings in Islamabad was the categorical statement that they issued, which made it clear that “we’ve seen no evidence of the senior leadership had any knowledge of Bin Laden’s presence there”. Bin Laden, he said, had to have “some kind of network … to be able to sustain an existence” but senior Pakistani leaders were not aware of this network. “And the Pakistanis hear America’s displeasure over that loud and clear I assume,” he was asked. “Yes, they do certainly,” the admiral replied. Reuters adds: Humanitarian agencies active in Pakistan’s northwest have been quietly told to prepare for up to 365,000 displaced people in advance of the military offensive in North Waziristan, a senior official with an international humanitarian agency said on Monday . The official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, was responding to reports that Pakistan would launch a military offensive against terrorists’ safe havens in the Afghan border regions. “Humanitarian agencies operating in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were given the heads up two weeks ago by the authorities of a possible displacement of up to 50,000 families,” he said.

http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/31/plan-...ed-mullen.html

[Azog 150]

Great news. Good luck to the Pakistani soldiers. Hopefully they won't find their efforts undermined by the likes of the ISI.

[Babur]

Great news. Good luck to the Pakistani soldiers. Hopefully they won't find their efforts undermined by the likes of the ISI.

Well the Haqqani Network are in Northern Waziristan, if they're destroyed then that may weaken the insurgency in Afghanistan a bit.But the biggest prize is in Quetta where the Afghan Taliban are.

[kentuckybandit]

Still don't understand why the media is told of these things before they occur. seems counter productive, militarily.

[Captain Jin]

Still don't understand why the media is told of these things before they occur. seems counter productive, militarily.

Ever since the Vietnam war there has been this asinine assumption amongst the masses that makes them think they are entitled to up to date information/coverage of ongoing conflicts. It's extremely stupid.

Anyways, I hope there is some serious success here. It just goes to show you the lunacy of what's happening in Pakistan with the government fighting these destabilizing elements in their own border only half-heartedly. It's only their people and the troops fighting that suffer. More Pakistani soldiers have been killed fighting these a-holes than NATO troops in Afghanistan. That must be so damn frustrating to be in the rank and file of the Pakistani Army.

Well the Haqqani Network are in Northern Waziristan, if they're destroyed then that may weaken the insurgency in Afghanistan a bit.But the biggest prize is in Quetta where the Afghan Taliban are.

Well I've also been hearing that this year's spring offensive hasn't been too significant because of the offensive measures taken by NATO troops in the southern provinces and along the border with Pakistan.

[Gumpfendorfer]

Forget about it: It's already clear that the Pakistan Mil will only attack the bad Taliban as in Mehsud and friends. The scope is going to be limited. The Pakistan military has always had a strong presence in N-Waziristan. In South Waziristan they also only attacked the bad Taliban, leaving the good Taliban -the ones hurting NATO- in place. Seriously.

Will believe its serious when the bring the head of Haqqani. The main Taliban leaders are in Quetta and Karachi, not in Waziristan.

[Captain Jin]

Will believe its serious when the bring the head of Haqqani. The main Taliban leaders are in Quetta and Karachi, not in Waziristan.

If not maybe we should go get his head then.

[Gumpfendorfer]

If not maybe we should go get his head then.

Yes, please, get the bugger.

[motiv-8]

Forget about it: It's already clear that the Pakistan Mil will only attack the bad Taliban as in Mehsud and friends. The scope is going to be limited. The Pakistan military has always had a strong presence in N-Waziristan. In South Waziristan they also only attacked the bad Taliban, leaving the good Taliban -the ones hurting NATO- in place. Seriously.

Of course. As long as Pakistanis maintain this absurd, fantastical attitude that Taliban who cross the Durand line magically become heroes, nothing lasting will be accomplished.

[Gaidin]

Ever since the Vietnam war there has been this asinine assumption amongst the masses that makes them think they are entitled to up to date information/coverage of ongoing conflicts. It's extremely stupid.

You're ex-military right? I have an honest question about releasing this plan to the media you might be able to answer. Is this(the parts released) one of those over-arcing strategy things that really doesn't hurt us to have anyone know? Because even with the media's entitlement problems, I really don't see any military, much less ours, releasing information that can be considered remotely tactical, allowing for a layman's difference in defining those two concepts.

[Captain Jin]

You're ex-military right? I have an honest question about releasing this plan to the media you might be able to answer. Is this(the parts released) one of those over-arcing strategy things that really doesn't hurt us to have anyone know? Because even with the media's entitlement problems, I really don't see any military, much less ours, releasing information that can be considered remotely tactical, allowing for a layman's difference in defining those two concepts.

Still active actually. Anyways, the biggest issue is that it just gives the enemy time to prepare. Obviously the specifics of the assault won't be known (hopefully). But knowing that something is planned lets the enemy commanders look at the most likely avenues of approach and prepare those for any inbound troops. For instance, if a news article states an attack is going to occur then it is very reasonable to assume that the enemy commanders will be able to at the very least predict with some accuracy which Pakistani military units will be involved, their troop strength, equipment and probably even morale. If they have that much information they can begin to predict those likely avenues of an attack and fortify them or set IEDs along the road and so forth. Given the situation in Pakistan I wouldn't be surprised if the bad guys are so well informed that they know individual unit commanders personalities and leadership styles which would also stack the odds against the Pakistani troops. Of course all this information would likely be studied and known by the enemy already, but broadcasting a big "Hey we're coming in a day or two" on the news just kicks the bad guys into high alert. It was like the operation to take Marjah. The Taliban had weeks to prepare their defenses against the NATO forces that were on the attack and as a result they had to deal with dozens upon dozens of IEDs all over the city that were likely put there in response to impending assault they knew was coming thanks to media attention.

I don't really see what right America has to interfere in Pakistan's territory. I know they have Pakistani backing but we all know why that is.

Gee, maybe it has something to do with portions of their government actively sheltering combatants that are killing NATO and Afghan soldiers in Afghanistan. I don't see what right these militants have to be protected by Pakistani sovereignty whilst simultaneously violating Afghan sovereignty time and time again with little or no recourse.

[Gaidin]

Still active actually. Anyways, the biggest issue is that it just gives the enemy time to prepare. Obviously the specifics of the assault won't be known (hopefully). But knowing that something is planned lets the enemy commanders look at the most likely avenues of approach and prepare those for any inbound troops. For instance, if a news article states an attack is going to occur then it is very reasonable to assume that the enemy commanders will be able to at the very least predict with some accuracy which Pakistani military units will be involved, their troop strength, equipment and probably even morale. If they have that much information they can begin to predict those likely avenues of an attack and fortify them or set IEDs along the road and so forth. Given the situation in Pakistan I wouldn't be surprised if the bad guys are so well informed that they know individual unit commanders personalities and leadership styles which would also stack the odds against the Pakistani troops. Of course all this information would likely be studied and known by the enemy already, but broadcasting a big "Hey we're coming in a day or two" on the news just kicks the bad guys into high alert. It was like the operation to take Marjah. The Taliban had weeks to prepare their defenses against the NATO forces that were on the attack and as a result they had to deal with dozens upon dozens of IEDs all over the city that were likely put there in response to impending assault they knew was coming thanks to media attention.

Wouldn't they still be doing these things, at least the things we hear about most commonly like the IEDs? That almost seems like an SOP thing there.

[saglam2000]

Still active actually. Anyways, the biggest issue is that it just gives the enemy time to prepare. Obviously the specifics of the assault won't be known (hopefully). But knowing that something is planned lets the enemy commanders look at the most likely avenues of approach and prepare those for any inbound troops. For instance, if a news article states an attack is going to occur then it is very reasonable to assume that the enemy commanders will be able to at the very least predict with some accuracy which Pakistani military units will be involved, their troop strength, equipment and probably even morale. If they have that much information they can begin to predict those likely avenues of an attack and fortify them or set IEDs along the road and so forth. Given the situation in Pakistan I wouldn't be surprised if the bad guys are so well informed that they know individual unit commanders personalities and leadership styles which would also stack the odds against the Pakistani troops. Of course all this information would likely be studied and known by the enemy already, but broadcasting a big "Hey we're coming in a day or two" on the news just kicks the bad guys into high alert. It was like the operation to take Marjah. The Taliban had weeks to prepare their defenses against the NATO forces that were on the attack and as a result they had to deal with dozens upon dozens of IEDs all over the city that were likely put there in response to impending assault they knew was coming thanks to media attention.

With this being said, the Taliban probably know half the details of the pakistani army's operations due to the sympathizers in the military.

I really don't see why the Pakistani people love their militants so much, i thought the fact that militants routinely hide out in your country equates to a country and as a pakistani i'd probably be ashamed of it.

[Azog 150]

Well Obama did say he would be willing to authorise such a mission. Hopefully it won't have to come to that though

[Angrychris]

Yeah why do we have to know why our family and friends are dying. just shoot them out of a cannon while there at it.

[motiv-8]

Yeah why do we have to know why our family and friends are dying. just shoot them out of a cannon while there at it.

Nice non sequitor. Knowing the overall objectives or grand strategy behind a campaign is not at all the same as making every person privy to every last detail, not in the slightest.

It's entirely possible to inform "us" of why "our" family and and friends are dying by stating, "to kill or capture those responsible for acts of terror against XYZ" and the like, without saying "we are initiating operative x against specific target y in specific location z at specific time h."

[Copperknickers II]

I don't really see what right America has to interfere in Pakistan's territory. I know they have Pakistani backing but we all know why that is.

[Poet]

Finally, this is long overdue,The Haqqani Network and the Pakistani Taliban are based in Northern Waziristan.However there remains to be any actions taken against the Afghan Taliban in Quetta.



http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/31/plan-...ed-mullen.html

Bad news and now we know the reason for an other great American coincidence, now we know why Osama was caught right after Raymond Davis problem and at the time when Americans wanted war to be shifted to Pakistan.

It is not that Pakistani nation loves Taliban, we are having great loss because of them, of lives and infrastructure and national integrity, but what we hate is fulfilling American demands. When Pakistan army decided to do operation in Swat, it was for Pakistan and civilians supported that, this operation is clearly on American instructions. Those who are hiding there are not causing any trouble to Pakistan but others were causing and thus innihilated from troubled areas. This war would bring new attacks on Pakistani armed forces, civilians and senstative scurity buildings.

Every nation wants to be free of froeign pressure and orders, so do we, if it is for Pakistan why we are going to do this on American orders after Abottabad operation and not before? I am not happy because I see the coming result of our policy failure, of our Army's bully against their own country's civilians, and of conspiracies of India and America & allies.

This would end on much instability, much weakness and when our nation and armed forces would be tired, this war of 9/11 would get it's real hidden purpose. America would arrest some Aimen Al-Zawaheri, or some terrorists would attack some air base or nuclear facility and America would be in U.N. asking permission to disarm Pakistan. That day over smart Pakistan arm,y and it's generals would not be able to do anything even if they would wish to do. We would be tired, divided and weak and an easy target for those who allege us for Islamic fundamentalism but themselves they are struggling for the final war of armeggadon, as Reagon once said.

[Babur]

Bad news and now we know the reason for an other great American coincidence, now we know why Osama was caught right after Raymond Davis problem and at the time when Americans wanted war to be shifted to Pakistan.

why is this bad news?

It is not that Pakistani nation loves Taliban, we are having great loss because of them, of lives and infrastructure and national integrity, but what we hate is fulfilling American demands. When Pakistan army decided to do operation in Swat, it was for Pakistan and civilians supported that, this operation is clearly on American instructions. Those who are hiding there are not causing any trouble to Pakistan but others were causing and thus innihilated from troubled areas. This war would bring new attacks on Pakistani armed forces, civilians and senstative scurity buildings.

Yet if they're fighting across the imaginary line known as the Durand line then they're heroes in Pakistan?

Every nation wants to be free of froeign pressure and orders, so do we, if it is for Pakistan why we are going to do this on American orders after Abottabad operation and not before? I am not happy because I see the coming result of our policy failure, of our Army's bully against their own country's civilians, and of conspiracies of India and America & allies.

India and Afghanistan wish to be free of militancy emanating from Pakistan

This would end on much instability, much weakness and when our nation and armed forces would be tired, this war of 9/11 would get it's real hidden purpose. America would arrest some Aimen Al-Zawaheri, or some terrorists would attack some air base or nuclear facility and America would be in U.N. asking permission to disarm Pakistan. That day over smart Pakistan arm,y and it's generals would not be able to do anything even if they would wish to do. We would be tired, divided and weak and an easy target for those who allege us for Islamic fundamentalism but themselves they are struggling for the final war of armeggadon, as Reagon once said.

what hidden purpose?

[mrmouth]

I cannot believe that when cornered, all we get out of them is a hollow offensive. I think it will be more than that, and even Haqqani will be targeted. I mean, you cannot really go into that area and not deal with them. Pakistan began dropping bombs yesterday, and they appear to be aimed at Haqqani leadership.

Pakistan needs this with faith in the military at an all time low. It could be that they dont really pull any punches this time.

I also dont see Mullen speaking on this without an understanding of the implications. Pakistan has significant assets in the immediate area. It isn't going to be a month long buildup. And the whole IED thing is a problem no matter what. They can lace that place in a matter of a few days.

Worst case is you shut down a bunch of training camps and deny the enemy another sanctuary, to some extent. Better than nothing...