Operation in South Waziristan ‘a matter of time’

[Naveed Yaseen]

South Waziristan: Army prepares assault, eyes Taliban infighting

ISLAMABAD (October 04 2009): Pakistan army is keeping up pressure on Taliban as it prepares for an offensive on their South Waziristan stronghold and awaits the outcome of infighting between factions, an army spokesman said on Saturday. The government ordered the army to launch an offensive against Pakistani Taliban Baitullah Mehsud and his men in South Waziristan near the Afghan border in June.

Mehsud, accused of numerous bomb attacks across the country, was killed in a US missile strike in August. The security forces have been launching air strikes, while moving in troops, blockading the region and trying to split off factions. "The operation is continuing through air targeting, squeezing the area - all the entry and exit routes have been blocked - and, of course, waiting for the result of the infighting for the succession," military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said.

Mehsud's killing threw the Taliban into disarray with rival factions vying to take control of the al Qaeda-linked Taliban Movement of Pakistan alliance of 13 militant factions. Confusion surrounds who is in charge. US intelligence agencies believe the newly named leader of the militant alliance, Hakimullah Mehsud, might have been killed in a firefight with a rival faction soon after Mehsud's death) Abbas said some Pakistani security agencies had reported that Hakimullah was dead but there was no confirmation.

"It's confusing because the area is sealed, there's no free movement or credible intelligence presence inside," Abbas said. Abbas said two divisions, or up to 28,000 soldiers, were in place, enough to take on an estimated 10,000 hardcore Taliban.

Winter snow could arrive in late November, hampering military operations but Abbas said the weather was one of many factors that planners were taking into account. "It's a matter of the time which, of course, the military would not like to disclose or give any hint about," he said.

US PRESSURE Speculation about an assault on South Waziristan is rising as the United States has been stepping up pressure on Pakistan to go after Afghan Taliban factions based in north-western enclaves. With Afghan violence reaching new heights, the United States is weighing options for how to deal with the insurgency eight years after driving the Taliban from power.

The US commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, said in an assessment leaked last week Afghan insurgent leaders were based in Pakistan. Pakistan denies that but many analysts say Pakistan is acting only against militants which are a threat to itself, like the Pakistani Taliban, while leaving alone those focused on fighting in Afghanistan or on targeting India.

Meanwhile, soldiers and equipment have been moving towards the Taliban bastion in South Waziristan. "There are large convoys passing through Wana almost every day," said Wali a resident of Wana, the main town in South Waziristan, where the military has a base.

A senior military official in South Waziristan said his men were ready. "We have made all preparations and are only waiting for an order," said the official, who declined to be identified. Analysts say the ethnic Pashtun tribes in South Waziristan resent outsiders and a military offensive risks not only heavy casualties but a tribal uprising. But the military official dismissed such fears saying many people opposed the militants. "They want the terrorists out of their area," he said.

http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=967130

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By Iftikhar A. Khan
Sunday, 04 Oct, 2009 Military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas speaks during a news conference in Rawalpindi.-Reuters file World
Tehrik-i-Taliban chief Hakeemullah Mehsud dead? MEDIA GALLERY
Pakistan: Combating terrorism ISLAMABAD: The security forces have ascertained the presence of around five thousand hardcore religious extremists and armed militants operating in South Waziristan under the banner of Baitullah Mehsud group, as they brace up to launch a major military offensive in the volatile mountainous region known as a stronghold of Taliban.

Major-General Athar Abbas, chief of the ISPR, told reporters that 'it (operation) is a matter of the time which, of course, the military would not like to disclose or give any hint about' (according to Reuters).

Winter snow could arrive in late November, hampering military operations, but Gen. Abbas said the weather was one of many factors that planners were taking into account.

A security official told Dawn that an estimated number of 1000 to 1500 foreigners, dominated by Uzbeks was among these militants.

The official said the escape routes will be plugged to a large extent. 'Though the foot-tracks cannot be completely sealed, but the tracks for vehicles will be blocked and security forces around the area will remain vigilant to kill or apprehend the fleeing terrorists,' he remarked.

Clearly indicating that the decision to launch an operation that would be a combination of aerial strikes and ground offensive was irreversible, the official ruled out talks with the terrorists whatsoever.

He said all those who are pursuing the themes of agreement were against the government policy and were misleading the masses.

The security forces have chosen this time to launch military operation in South Waziristan since they believe that not only Baitullah Mehsud, but his successor Hakimullah was also dead.

He said the character of terrorists stands exposed after the death of Baitullah Mehsud and showed they were only aspiring power and money and even do not hesitate to kill each other for that.

'The rudderless leadership of terrorists provides an ideal opportunity to launch operation and inflict a severe blow to the terrorists.'

He said the South Waziristan Agency was the source of main terrorist activities throughout the country. They are rendering support to other terorists’ operations in Khyber, Bajaur, Orakzai and Mohmand agencies.

There is a solid evidence that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was receiving arms and financial support from across the border. He quoted former CIA station commander Milt Bearden as saying before a senate committee that 'Pakistan’s concern that Afghanistan was being made a garrison of India are legitimate'.

Answering a question, he said there would be no need to relocate active formations deployed at border with India for the operation in South Waziristan. He said there was a sufficient number of reserve troops.

'Threat from India cannot be overnight and the build up of its troops gives sufficient response time to us,' he remarked.

He rejected the claims of presence of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan and existence of Quetta Shoora, pointing out that such rumours were being spread in the aftermath of failure of Helmand operation.

The official warned against drone attacks in Quetta saying that such an action would be counter-productive and can give rise to Talibanisation in the area.

'This could have negative implications and the logistic routes of Nato could be blocked as a reaction. This viewpoint has been conveyed to the United States at highest level,' he disclosed.

He said the United States has been offered to send some of its officials to identify the place where the suspected terrorists were hiding so that an operation could be carried out in their presence, if they are not ready to share their information with Pakistan for the obvious reason of a trust deficit. The official deplored that United States speaks the language of Afghan intelligence.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn...e-05-sal-5