WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN

AUM
WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN INDIA & PAKISTAN
By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

The newspaper readers devoted to the print media do not wish to miss a single line on the political page and international page. There is an interesting feature in the India-Pakistan relationship that a feature writer would like to present in the most humorous way so that humour of healthy nature tickles men and women across the Wagah border. That is the place where one can officially cross over from one country to the other provided relevant papers are in order. Failing that one just feels free to cross over from any point in the porous border. If caught, just grease the palm of the border guard who may even thank you for your generosity.
It was the Interior minister of Pakistan, Abdul Rahman Malik, who fired the first shot. In a press conference, he went on record and said that the bomb blasts and civil cum political unrest in Pakistan are generated by the Taliban. So far so good and no one, east or west of the Suez canal, could object to this statement of fact. However, where he crossed the Lakshman rekha was when he declared as a Mr Knowall that it was India that provided all kinds of help and guidance to the Taliban terrorists to destabilise Pakistan. Some politicians shoot from the hip but old Rahman shot from the mouth. It is learnt that even India-haters and India baiters in Pakistan found it hard to swallow this line of the interior minister of Pakistan. There is not even an iota of evidence to substantiate what the interior minister of Pakistan had said in public. Some sober men thought that the minister was fresh from a diplomatic party where booze flows like water and, therefore, he was not to blame for being a bit high.
However, this wild statement made on the soil of Pakistan surpassed any of the wildest shots of cowboys in the wild west in Texas. Catching a straw in the wind, P Chidambaram, home minister of India thought it was an opportune moment to grab a headline in the international newspapers. He declared from the housetops that any terrorist misadventure by Pakistan on the soil of India would be given a fitting reply. That statement sent conscientious news reporters to the major cantonments in India to see and report any large scale movement of troops. None, my dear, none, said an old hat in an old cantonment.
The BSF and the CRPF that come directly under the home minister were not aware of any orders asking them to rush to the Pakistan border post haste. Obviously, Chidambaram had made this brave statement in the Meenakshi temple town of Madurai in Tamilnadu for the consumption of vegetarian men and women in his parliamentary constituency to ginger them up and be ready for any eventuality. Chidambaram was applauded by citizens down south because he had given a fitting reply to Rahman of Pakistan( not to be mixed up with our boy back home who is busy with composing a lullaby for warring groups of Tamil parties). Indeed it was more than a befitting reply from a knight in shining armour. It was RDX poised to have the better of TNT.
The political analysts are of the opinion that a war of words is any day better than a battle of tanks or clash of missiles with nuclear war heads. Let us thank the Almighty that the peaceful citizens are safe while politicians in the home departments of India and Pakistan are pouring ink on white paper and leaving children confused and adults laughing in their sleeves.
Well, the battle between two stalwarts has just been joined in. Indeed the lawyer from South India is an intellectual whereas personal information about the challenger across the border is rather scanty. He has just made a debut on the South Asian stage when he shot himself in the foot. You see, illegal ammunition in Pakistan is in plenty and is sold like red meat at every street corner. No wonder there are so many shooting incidents that the pressmen find it hard to cover.
Let us leave the warring ministers of both the countries alone so that they have an opportunity to be cool and sort out the nagging problems for ever.

UPVAN, 609, Sector 29, Noida-201303, INDIA.
Mobile : 0091-9811173590.
Email sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com

A DOUBTING THOMAS

AUM
A DOUBTING THOMAS DESTROYS SELF AND SOCIETY
By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

This morning( 28 Oct 09) in Kabul, Afghanistan there were a number of bomb blasts and explosions of possibly IEDs or Improvised Explosive Devices that may be more deadly than the TNT or ordinary explosives. About 6 AM just before the crack of dawn, five or six Taliban terrorists entered a UN guest house where foreign employees of the United Nations were billeted. The guest house is located near the Presidential Palace of Hamid Karzai in a high security zone. There was a lot of gunfire of automatic weapons accompanied by explosions. Six to seven foreigners were killed on the spot and on top of that three UN employees were also done to death. In a separate incident the Taliban terrorists attacked a hotel frequented by foreigners and destroyed whatever they could lay their hands on. The sound of gunfire and explosions could be heard much after the security forces and the Afghan police had arrived on the scene.
The Taliban terrorists took the responsibility of this carnage and also said that this was just a curtain raiser of the actual play of theirs that they were staging just ten days before the run off of the presidential polls. Apparently the terrorists have the upper hand in Afghanistan and not only call the shots but can strike at will wherever and whenever they wish to. Capital city Kabul with numerous security rings is no exception. One may recall that the US forces led NATO have been in Afghanistan for eight years now and there have been many think tanks advising the local commanders how to prosecute the war. There is neither dearth of arms and ammunition nor of transport facility with the NATO forces. And yet the rag-tag local militia of Afghans is neither overawed nor deterred by the might of America. It is the US four- star general who petitions his President for a surge of forces to the tune of 40,000.The President of the United States is dithering. The Afghans may be aided and abetted by other terror groups from Pakistan, Chechnia, Palestine and so on but they have not gone public with the crying need for more militants or modern weapon system. It is a point to ponder.
WHO IS THE DOUBTING THOMAS
President George Bush had decided to intervene in the situation then obtaining in Afghanistan. The ghastly attacks on the American twin towers in New York had taken place and it dealt a massive blow to the American prestige besides causing loss of life and property. The American Intelligence gave proof that the 9/11 attack on America was planned by the Al Qaida, assisted by the Taliban, in Afghanistan by foes of America led by Osama bin-Laden. It was, therefore, decided to destroy the haven of terror so that there is no repetition of 9/11 attack. After arrival of the US forces, the terror hub shifted to Pakistan from Afghanistan and the present friends of Americans, that is Pakistan aided and abetted the dreaded foe, the Al Qaida and the Taliban. The Pakistan Army even provided a safe passage to the Al Qaida and the Taliban from the Tora-Bora caves in Afghanistan to the new haven in AFPAK borders. The difficult terrain there became a safe shelter for the Islamist terrorists. The situation is no different now. Osama roams around in those hills, dales, ravines and dry creeks as a free man. The Pakistan government accepted huge amounts of American money without delivering the goods. The main aim of Pakistan was to gain modern weapon system and money that it could use against India as it had been doing all along. Thus what commenced as a HALAL turned into a HARAM because of Pakistan’s intentions to cheat on their friend, USA. The Americans could see through the Pakistan’s game but they had no choice as they needed an Islamic country to support them in staying on in Afghanistan and Iraq. The nagging doubt about intention of Pakistan lingered on. Indeed that explains so many riders on the massive aid to Pakistan now in 2009, mainly to ensure that it is used for fighting against terror, and not for stockpiling arms and ammunition to be used against India at a later date.
DETERMINATION TO EXTERMINATE TERROR
Selection of AIM is the most important factor before going to war. Maintenance of AIM is equally important. Having done that the commanders at all levels and subsequently the troops have to plan, prepare and prosecute WAR on TERROR with determination. One need not entertain doubt about the ethics of war or about the outcome of war. Doing that at any stage after the battle has been joined is like handing over the victory to the enemy on a silver platter. The commander and his soldiers have to go on fighting with determination irrespective of the strength of the enemy or the tactics that the enemy is using. Indeed, a change in the battle plan may be effected but no one should question the very idea of waging a war on terror. This kind of question will amount to blasphemy and must not be permitted. The other day an ex-Marine Captain and now a diplomat, Hoh, resigned from service because he thought that the presence of Americans in Afghanistan was promoting terrorism instead of destroying it. He wanted his country to quit the scene. What a disastrous course of action he is suggesting at this stage?
The American public back home always pressed for termination of war. “Bring the Boys Home”, that has been the slogan. One may recall that similar slogans were raised during the Vietnam war. Doubts about American success were expressed every now and then. The US forces pulled out and the Americans lost the war. The Islamist terrorists are paying attention to propaganda so that lurking doubts in American minds forces the President of the United States to withdraw from Afghanistan. The doubting Thomas would hand over Afghanistan to Islamist terrorists and Pakistan would control them as was the case after the Soviet withdrawal.
Yogeshwar Shri Krishna,agreat leader and a patriot to his finger tips, has given the most sagacious advice to a Yodha or a warrior and a Senapati or commander-in-chief like Arjuna who was dithering from killing the enemy, in these words :
“HATO WA PRAPSYASI SWARGAM, JITWA WA BHOKSHYASE MAHIM
TASMAAD UTTISHTHA KAUNTEYA, YUDHYAY KRIT NISHCHAYAH”
Shri Krishna, a great statesman and master of statecraft advised Arjuna, the famous archer that when you join a battle, either you are slain and then your soul goes to Heaven or you win and then enjoy the fruits of victory in the form of perks and privileges offered by a State, and, therefore, arise you son of Kunti and WAGE WAR WITH DETERMINATION’.
The emphasis is on Determination – a warrior must fight and defeat the enemy. At the stage of joining a battle, one must not entertain any doubt about its legitimacy or outcome.
In Afghanistan during the last couple of years, Americans spent more time and energy about making plans to go home than on exterminating the Taliban terrorists. The Afghan war has never been considered seriously as an American war. On the other hand, the Al Qaida and the Taliban terrorists fought before and have been fighting now with determination because the Afghan war will make them or break them. Their future lies in winning the war in Afghanistan and, therefore, the terrorists have put their heart and soul in it.
UPVAN 609, Sector 29, NOIDA – 201303, INDIA. Mobile : 0091-9811173590.
Email : sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com. Phone – 0091-120-2454622.

PAKISTAN- A COUNTRY DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF

AUM
A COUNTRY DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF

By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

Pakistan is at war. It is not a declared war but everyone, one and all, both the natives and the foreigners know that a war is going on. The Pakistan Army is dead serious on eliminating the menace of terrorism. However, other citizens like teachers, bureaucrats and ordinary citizens are not convinced that the Army is serious about its business vis-a-vis terrorism. Nevertheless, in the heart and mind, a guide escorting some brave foreign tourists is convinced that this is not the best of times to see Taxila’s Buddhist university of yore or the Anarkali Bazar of Lahore today. But he has to earn his daily bread and this is the cleanest way of doing so.
WHERE IS THE ENEMY
It is an undeclared war. No unit has identified an enemy. A circular floated by General Headquarters has just arrived. It defines the enemy and asks all ranks not to have any dealings with the defined enemy. A person, male or female of any age, who challenges the concept and formation of Pakistan and is waging a war against Pakistan or is prepared to wage a war, and with this common intent assembles and organises them to go on a raid to destabilise the country, will be called an enemy of the State of Pakistan and will be brought before a court of law to stand trial. On conviction, such a person will be hanged till death. The body will be handed over to the next of kin for performance of last rites.
Who runs the government of Pakistan? It is a sensitive issue and is never discussed in an open space. In the lighter vein, one may say that three A’s run the show –America, Army and Allah –and in the same order of importance. America has loosened its purse strings and gives a soft loan to Pakistan to the tune of 1.25 billion dollars per year. He who pays the piper, dictates the tune – the age old saying is true to situation even today. Army has run the government most of the time since independence and knows the finer nuances of administration. One of the major reasons why the Pakistan army lost the 1971 war and surrendered unconditionally to India was their distaste for the devilish business of fighting and their penchant for a cushy job like governance of the country. Be that as it may, the Pakistan Army still runs the show by using remote control. There is a civil administration with a President, a Prime Minister and an elected legislature. They know their limitations and do not wish to cross the Lakshman Rekha. No one in his senses expects a powerful Army Chief like General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to take orders from a playboy President, Asif Ali Zardari. In any case, the two are not on talking terms.
Thus here is a government where the right hand does not know what the left is doing. Here is a country where the people are badly divided on sectarian lines like the Shiite, the Sunni, the Ahmediyas and what have you. The minorities like the Hindus, the Sikhs and the Christians do not matter in Pakistan. Their national flag has a white strip to represent the hapless minorities and that is the end of it. The residents of the tribal belt come under a separate administration called the FATA or Federally Administered Tribal Areas. The British in India had kept them divided so that they gain no political strength. Since Independence on 14 August 1947, the government of Pakistan made no endeavour to improve their educational, economic or political condition and they are where they were more than 62 years ago. Since no effort was made for their integration, the process of disintegration gained momentum. The tribes like Mehsuds, Waziri, Yusufzai, Tadjiks and what have you who were fiercely independent by nature gained more momentum through the barrel of the gun. The British Indian Army of the undivided India had found it difficult to control what is now called FATA through force and they bought their silence through hard cash. The situation is no better now; rather it is worse. The invisible enemy lies in wait for the regular army in the hills and dales, jungles and ravines of the unforgiving terrain of Waziristan.
WATERLOO OF FOREIGN FORCES
Alexander’s invincible phalanxes had found it difficult to hold the ground in the areas called FATA today. The mighty Mughals ruling from Delhi lost the humorist general, Raja Birbal in the process of suppressing the revolt of these tribal people. The tribal loyalties are strong and the entire tribe goes out to the rescue of an individual or a family in distress. Even Tadjiks and Waziris come to the active aid of Mehsuds, notwithstanding tribal rivalries. Of late, Pakistan had been trying hard to play one tribe against the other but had no appreciable success. With modern system of surveillance, an organised regular army has gained more strength. Baitullah Mehsud, the tribal chief and head of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan was thus killed by a missile fired from an American drone while sleeping in the open terrace with his young second wife. While making an attempt to sire a son, he lost his life. His place is now taken over by Hakimullah Mehsud who has vowed a revenge for loss of his predecessor.
As is well known to those who have been following the strategy of the Taliban and the Pakistan Army, it is the United States of America that had been pressurising the Pakistan government to make a decision to eliminate the Taliban leadership and proceed against Islamist terrorism with determination. The Americans increased the aid money to Pakistan but kept an eye on the recipients ’budgeting. It is an open secret that General Kayani is unhappy with the strings attached to the US aid and was in favour of declining to accept it. President Zardari, however, did not wish to alienate the Americans and has accepted both the aid and strings. The US pressure on Pakistan worked and in June 2009 a firm decision was taken to fight it out with a one-time brothers-in-arms, the Taliban. However, it took time to mobilise two divisions of 28000 men and deploy them in the battle zone. Thus it was not until 16 October 09 that a ground attack code named “ Rahe Nijaat”or Road of Deliverance, was launched. The air attacks by helicopter gunships and fighter jets had been going on for quite some time. The troops were needed to hold the ground snatched from the Taliban. Should the Pakistan Army make a decision to penetrate deep into the jungles or the hills and dry ravines, they will have to constantly keep an eye on the Terrain, the Weather and the attitude of non-Mehsud tribes towards the ongoing armed confrontation. The winter is not far behind and a snowfall may be expected in November-December 2009.
PROGRESS OF BATTLE
Let us admit right at the beginning that there is no transparency in the battle procedure and progress of battle. The whole process is opaque. The press briefing by the PRO confuses the scribes more and removes doubts less. Whatever little information comes out of the battle zone is rather scanty and paints only the army in good light. The Taliban is shown as the losing force. However, the press corps knows that had the Army been so efficient and powerful, the Taliban would have been exterminated long ago. But they are still alive and kicking. The government spokesman says that only 17 soldiers lost their life but more than 90 Taliban were killed in a fierce fire fight. Anyway, the media has no means of checking the truth or otherwise of this report.
Some refugees who came out of the dense jungles and ravines did mention that most of the residential areas have been vacated by the local tribesmen. At the same time they did not confirm any large scale movement of army officers and soldiers on footpaths or cart roads leading into the ravines and broken terrain. One may safely surmise that the fierce hand to hand battle between the army men and the tribesmen has not yet begun. It may be mentioned that in 2004 and twice thereafter the Pakistan army had closed in on the tribal people but they were beaten back by the tribal fighters. The Army Headquarters was forced to negotiate and propitiate the tribal fighters every time. Naturally, the Pakistan army officers and soldiers did not cover themselves with glory in these face offs. No wonder, the Army is still testing the waters before taking a plunge. The million dollar question is; how long?
Since the Wajiristan warfront is getting more and more opaque, we have little choice but to sign off for now. We promise to return when there is some worthwhile report to bring to our readers who are real connoisseurs of news and views.
UPVAN, 609, Sector 29, NOIDA – 201303, INDIA. Mobile 0091-9811173590.
Email : sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com Phone ; 0091-120-2454622.

SECOND RUNOFF INAFGHANISTAN

AUM
WHO WILL RUN AFGHANISTAN NOW
By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM
Hamid Karzai should not discharge the duties of president of Afghanistan, say some constitutional experts. His term of office is over. For a second term,he is not qualified in the polling of votes in August 09. Although he had polled 54 percent but some boots had reported fraudulent polling and counting. When nearly one-third of the votes polled by Karzai were declared bogus, Karzai could not claim to succeed himself for a second term. Of course, he has complained that what was his legally has now been stolen away from him. But the UN backed election commission found enough evidence to discredit polling in several booths in the southern Afghanistan.
Who will govern Afghanistan now? There is a consensus building for a coalition and power sharing between the candidate who polled the highest number of votes on 20 August and the runners up. In other words Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah would jointly govern Afghanistan until a second run off in the spring of 2010. A second round of election for presidentship is not possible now as the winter sets in and heavy snowfall would block passage. In the war ravaged country an election before a thaw may prove to be a disaster.
One may recall that in the August 09 election the Taliban had killed some afghans who went to vote. In some cases fingers of those who had voted were cut off. In winter, the law and order will be hard to enforce. The constitutional experts say that hamid Karzai must not be allowed to continue as president as it would demoralise the opposition parties and weaken the fight against the Taliban terrorists. Therefore, an honourable solution in accordance with the will of people is to let Karzai and Abdullah share power and provide a clean government to people until Afghanistan goes to polls to elect a new president. The electoral battle would be fought between karzai and Abdullah and looking at the trends it can be safely surmised that Hamid karzai would receive 21 gun salute when he is sworn in as the President of Afghanistan for a second term.

DEFEAT OR VICTORY IN WAZIRISTAN

AUM
WAZIRISTAN WAR : DEFEAT AND VICTORY
By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

The Waziristan war has reached a virtual stalemate so soon. The Pakistan Army is neither winning nor losing. Many a doubting Thomas surmises that the officers and soldiers are not going full steam ahead because they treat the Taliban terrorists as their kith and kin. I must hasten to add that this is one view of the battle scenario. The other view is that the Army is fighting its battles professionally and while they are killing the tribesmen, they are saving their own comrades-in-arms and pulling them out of the jaws of death. In any case the military situation is not clear to scribes too. The rumour mill is working overtime because not much news is doled out in official press briefings. Will someone from the fourth estate please impress upon the Army spokesman that the Media – both print and electronic-is a force multiplier. Embrace them and shun them not.
The reports trickling from the battle front mention that the Army is using heavy gunships to pound the tribal terrorists from the sky, and also use light tanks in the frontal attack on the plain and smooth ground. There is no hitting below the belt unlike what Pakistan had done in the Kargil war. The battle is a kind of modern Mahabharat where the righteous have to kill the wayward ones to uphold the DHARMA – the sacred duty to the State. The Army is tasked to do that against the Taliban. Not doing so will be ADHARMA.
NO WIN-WIN SITUATION
In the plains and later in the rugged hills or jungles of Waziristan an outright win is next to impossible. One knows that the Army has big guns and can effectively neutralise long distance targets. What will they do thereafter? It is holding the ground by the infantry or the Special Forces where the problem comes. The local tribesmen who have resolutely refused to support the central forces or provide a back-up to the Army will start harassing soldiers and not let them plan anything anytime. It was a similar situation in the 19th century during the Anglo-Afghan wars. The Soviets in 1980s fared no better. The tanks then and the heavy tanks now will do no better facing anti-tank rockets or rifle propelled grenades. Seeing a burning tank with the crew inside is very demoralising for regular army soldiers.
General Winter will soon usher in his forces to browbeat the army sepoys who are mostly from the plains of the Punjab. The snowfall in Waziristan is a phenomenon not witnessed by an average Punjabi from Lahore or Multan and he is likely to get unnerved. Assessing the terrible winter situation, the Pakistan Army is racing against time. The present fight to finish must be really finished before the first fall of snow. The military historians may recall the sad plight of the Napoleonic army in Moscow and that of the German soldiers in Stalingrad after the heavy snowfall in severe winter. The battle hardened French and German soldiers could not take it then, will the Pakistan army sepoys be able to bear it now? The generals from Pakistan’s Punjab see no light at the end of the tunnel in Waziristan.
Unable to face the heavy weapon system and terrible fire power of an organised Army, the Taliban terrorists will melt away and merge into the common crowd as they did in Afghanistan in 2001. But they will resurface and bring down harassing fire on soldiers every now and then, be it bath time or meal time or time to enjoy forty winks of post-lunch siesta. No rest, no relaxation and no peace of mind for soldiers who will suffer from battle fatigue and Taliban will tire them out paving the path of their exit from the battle zone. The writing is on the wall. It is for the Pakistan army Generals to read it.
The Pakistan government may (not -will) win the limited war but they are bound to lose the unlimited peace. As it is the people of the tribal areas of Pakistan feel alienated from the people of Pakistan and a shooting war will make matters worse. Residents of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) feel that they are second class citizens of Pakistan. No serious effort was ever made by the govt in Islamabad to emotionally integrate them with the rest of Pakistan. Now a military action will further alienate them. If the army is asked to launch a campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Mehsud tribe of South Waziristan, in 4 cases out of five it may end up in a fiasco.
As the war in South Waziristan prolongs the eternal anti-army factors – cold weather, rugged terrain and emotionally hostile local tribesmen – will come into play. The army generals and the Taliban terrorists will perhaps have no alternative but to sit at a round table and negotiate peace leading to possibly a second dismemberment of Pakistan.
UPVAN 609, Sector 29, NOIDA – 201303. INDIA. 0091-9811173590.
Email : sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com upvanom@yahoo.com

WAZIRISTAN WAR : VICTORY OR DEFEAT

AUM
WAZIRISTAN WAR : DEFEAT AND VICTORY
By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

The Waziristan war has reached a virtual stalemate so soon. The Pakistan Army is neither winning nor losing. Many a doubting Thomas surmises that the officers and soldiers are not going full steam ahead because they treat the Taliban terrorists as their kith and kin. I must hasten to add that this is one view of the battle scenario. The other view is that the Army is fighting its battles professionally and while they are killing the tribesmen, they are saving their own comrades-in-arms and pulling them out of the jaws of death. In any case the military situation is not clear to scribes too. The rumour mill is working overtime because not much news is doled out in official press briefings. Will someone from the fourth estate please impress upon the Army spokesman that the Media – both print and electronic-is a force multiplier. Embrace them and shun them not.
The reports trickling from the battle front mention that the Army is using heavy gunships to pound the tribal terrorists from the sky, and also use light tanks in the frontal attack on the plain and smooth ground. There is no hitting below the belt unlike what Pakistan had done in the Kargil war. The battle is a kind of modern Mahabharat where the righteous have to kill the wayward ones to uphold the DHARMA – the sacred duty to the State. The Army is tasked to do that against the Taliban. Not doing so will be ADHARMA.
NO WIN-WIN SITUATION
In the plains and later in the rugged hills or jungles of Waziristan an outright win is next to impossible. One knows that the Army has big guns and can effectively neutralise long distance targets. What will they do thereafter? It is holding the ground by the infantry or the Special Forces where the problem comes. The local tribesmen who have resolutely refused to support the central forces or provide a back-up to the Army will start harassing soldiers and not let them plan anything anytime. It was a similar situation in the 19th century during the Anglo-Afghan wars. The Soviets in 1980s fared no better. The tanks then and the heavy tanks now will do no better facing anti-tank rockets or rifle propelled grenades. Seeing a burning tank with the crew inside is very demoralising for regular army soldiers.
General Winter will soon usher in his forces to browbeat the army sepoys who are mostly from the plains of the Punjab. The snowfall in Waziristan is a phenomenon not witnessed by an average Punjabi from Lahore or Multan and he is likely to get unnerved. Assessing the terrible winter situation, the Pakistan Army is racing against time. The present fight to finish must be really finished before the first fall of snow. The military historians may recall the sad plight of the Napoleonic army in Moscow and that of the German soldiers in Stalingrad after the heavy snowfall in severe winter. The battle hardened French and German soldiers could not take it then, will the Pakistan army sepoys be able to bear it now? The generals from Pakistan’s Punjab see no light at the end of the tunnel in Waziristan.
Unable to face the heavy weapon system and terrible fire power of an organised Army, the Taliban terrorists will melt away and merge into the common crowd as they did in Afghanistan in 2001. But they will resurface and bring down harassing fire on soldiers every now and then, be it bath time or meal time or time to enjoy forty winks of post-lunch siesta. No rest, no relaxation and no peace of mind for soldiers who will suffer from battle fatigue and Taliban will tire them out paving the path of their exit from the battle zone. The writing is on the wall. It is for the Pakistan army Generals to read it.
The Pakistan government may (not -will) win the limited war but they are bound to lose the unlimited peace. As it is the people of the tribal areas of Pakistan feel alienated from the people of Pakistan and a shooting war will make matters worse. Residents of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) feel that they are second class citizens of Pakistan. No serious effort was ever made by the govt in Islamabad to emotionally integrate them with the rest of Pakistan. Now a military action will further alienate them. If the army is asked to launch a campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Mehsud tribe of South Waziristan, in 4 cases out of five it may end up in a fiasco.
As the war in South Waziristan prolongs the eternal anti-army factors – cold weather, rugged terrain and emotionally hostile local tribesmen – will come into play. The army generals and the Taliban terrorists will perhaps have no alternative but to sit at a round table and negotiate peace leading to possibly a second dismemberment of Pakistan.
UPVAN 609, Sector 29, NOIDA – 201303. INDIA. 0091-9811173590.
Email : sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com upvanom@yahoo.com

PAKISTAN WAGING WAR - PHONEY OR REAL

AUM
WAR IN WAZIRISTAN IN LAST TWO DAYS
By Brigadier Chitranjan Sawant,VSM

It is the fag end of the battle on the second day in South Waziristan. The Pakistan Army wishes to show to the world that it had the better of the Taliban terrorists. On the other hand the Taliban terrorists are equally keen to exhibit their political prowess and military acumen by pinning down the leading elements of the advancing troops. At the end of the first forty eight hours, there is not much to show on the report card. The Army claims it killed 60 terrorists but does not show any dead bodies of the terrorists. The Army says it lost five soldiers but no body bags have been sent to the native places of the deceased. It is hard to believe that there is Truth in the Army's claim.
Truth is always a casualty in battle. In any case this is not the first time that the credibility of the Pakistan Army has taken a beating.

An independent military analyst will take with a pinch of salt the claim of the army top brass that eliminating the bad Taliban from South Waziristan has all ingredients of a successful military operation. Let us concede the point that a large body of troops, 28,000, is on the offensive and the general officer commanding XI Corps based in Peshawar, Lieut General Masud Alam has been put in command to plan and execute the battles. The army has an experience of combat against terrorists in Bajaur and Swat valley and their weapons, including heavy artillery, are modern; the fire power is effective and demoralising for the enemy. However, the most important factor not to be lost sight of is the fiercely independent spirit of tribesmen of South Waziristan. Right from the days of Alexander no outsider has succeeded in subjugating them after a win in battle. To the tribesmen of the area, the Pakistan Army is not only an outsider, being from the Punjab, but comprises infidels as they are lackeys of America.

Morale is to physical as ten to one; an axiom of the army all over the world. The morale of the terrorists is high as the Mullahs in the mosques exhort them day in and day out to defeat the army soldiers who are servants of an infidel state named the United States. The average soldier is also given lectures in morale but he is not convinced in his mind that the cause he is fighting for is Islamic and will take him to the heaven on attaining martyrdom. No wonder on the three occasions in the past that the army went into action in Waziristan, it lost men and material and per force had to retreat. Generals at higher levels were forced to sit at the negotiating table with the Taliban adversary who are not terrorists in the eye of even some army sympathisers.

Considering these important factors cited above, one will have to take the claims of serious fighting and victory of the army against the Taliban with a pinch of salt. No wonder the foreign news agencies writing about claims of killing terrorists in battle also write that there was no way to confirm the claim. Time alone will tell what is true and what is false. Will the Army run over South Waziristan or will the combine of tribesmen and terrorists vanquish the army that is fighting half-heartedly.
____________________________________________________________________________
Email : sawantg.chitranjan@gmail.com