Pakistan Army Operations in South Waziristan

The army operation in South Waziristan termed Rah-e-Nejat continues as  Pakistan tries to extend the writ of the state to areas that had been swamped by the Taliban. The operation in South Waziristan has far-reaching implications for Pakistan itself as well as the region as a whole. Fortunately, the PPP government has built consensus within the country for operations against the Taliban. In Pakistan, all parties support this operation, except the Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Jama’at-e Islami. The operation has also been applauded in the US and Western countries. For Pakistan, it is the second crucial step after Malakand to re-establish the dwindling writ of the state.

The Pakistan Army has been at the forefront of this counter-insurgency operation, aided by massive firepower and financial aid from the US. Army Chief General Pervez Ashraf Kayani has sent an ‘open letter’ to the various clans of the Mehsud tribe in South Waziristan. It says: “The operation is not meant to target the valiant and patriotic Mehsud tribes, but aimed at ridding them of the elements who had destroyed peace in the region”. Apart from the “elements”, the message has also designated “foreigners” as its enemy. He has said the target of the operation is Uzbek terrorists, foreign elements, and local militants. The army chief’s reference to “foreigners” is a carefully deployed appeal to the Pashtun clans and is significant in many ways. While seeking support of the Mehsud tribes, he has acknowledged that all tribes, including the Mehsud, were loyal to Pakistan and had been working for the “defence of the country as an army without salary”. It illustrates that use of coercive force is not a solution of the problem.

It is significant that the letter bears a colour photograph of the army chief on the top, the national flag on one side and insignia of Pakistan Army on the other. The absence of the civilian leadership’s name demonstrates army clout. Urdu and Pushto versions of the message are reported to have been dropped in South Waziristan by helicopters.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was the first to be targeted by artillery and air strikes. The first element of impact of any operation is civilian displacement, and the locals have had to flee the area. Protecting the population is a key in counter-insurgency strategy and the army should be aware of this, especially the chance of ‘collateral damage’. There is national consensus behind this operation, except for the Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Jama’at-e Islami, both unrepresented in parliament. Even the JUI, once intent on “talking” to the TTP, is on board. The US and the western countries are applauding the operation and want it to succeed. For Pakistan, it is the second crucial step after Malakand to re-establish the dwindling writ of the state.

Political analysts say the army needs four to six weeks to clean up the TTP strongholds of Sarwakai, Makin, Kaniguram, Shakai, Jandola, Raghzai, Kotki and Sararogha. They will have to be prepared to hold on to them with the help of the local administration as winter approaches and hostilities come to a halt. With the control of strategic posts, the army can then have the advantage of defending rather than taking an offensive stance. The government will also have to begin the process of reconstruction can, lost over the years the TTP gained strength.

It is too early to say about the final outcome of Operation Rah-e-Nejat, though initial reports suggest that the army’s planning has been careful and professional. Since the army has restricted media access to the operation areas, it is difficult to verify the army’s claims of success. For one, the refugees from the region are piling up lower down the valleys. About 134,477 displaced families have been registered at six camps in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts. Five IDP camps have been set up in Nairela, Runhpur, Sheikh Yousaf, Mufti Mehmood and Muryali areas of D.I. Khan and one in Tank.

According to the military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, security forces have secured Kaskai and Kotkai. He said that troops have also secured Tor Ghundai in east of Kotkai and Shishwarm in northeast of Kotkai, overlooking the town of Kotkai. In total, 78 militants had been killed since the beginning of the operation and nine soldiers have lost their lives. Around 30,000 troops are deployed to fight about 10,000 militants. Abbas said that the operation had become inevitable since splinter groups of the banned militant outfits were getting space for training and other activities.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) say that the troops have seized a large quantity of weapons and ammunition and are consolidating their positions in Sherwangi after securing important heights. In the Jandola-Sararogha axis, troops are consolidating their positions and extending the perimeter of security around Kaskai and Shisanwam. According to the ISPR, 21 mortar bombs, 22 grenades, five RPGs, two heavy machineguns with 600 rounds, one 75mm RR, 14 107mm SBRL rockets, 27 82mm mortar bombs, 100 rifle rounds, seven rockets, 900 machinegun rounds and 11 IEDs were seized in Sagarzai, Spinkai, Nazarkhel, Tarakai Ridge, Spin Ghara, Kund and Kalkalle areas. The village of Khasura is being cleared of IEDs and mines. It demonstrates the fighting capability of the Taliban. Security forces have started arresting the suspected people.

The security forces have been trying to ensure that a fresh influx of militants from Afghanistan is prevented. Reportedly, there is sufficient deployment of troops at the border with Afghanistan as well as in the Waziri area. The Waziri tribe has occupied a territory between the Afghan border and the area where the operation is under way. The operation intends that militants must lay down their arms, surrender and accept the writ of the government.

It is early to say about the outcome of the South Waziristan operation, what with the trickle of information coming from one single source, the Pakistan Army, media access having been denied. However, the continued operation in the South Waziristan will put theTaliban under pressure. The casualties amidst the militant-ranks and destruction to their assets and organisations would demoralise them. Consequently, the militants will be unable to launch effective attacks in South Waziristan as well as other parts of Pakistan.

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views either of the Editorial Committee or the Centre for Land Warfare Studies).