A reluctant general cost the country dearly
The havoc a military leader’s indecisiveness can wreak is best illustrated by the consequences of Gen (retd) Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani’s hesitation to launch a timely operation in North Waziristan Agency. We are told that military leadership was in favour of launching the operation in 2010. Besides numerous attacks on the law enforcement personnel, the year was marked by major assaults on civilians in Lakki Marwat, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar. It was widely understood at the time that the leadership of almost all terrorist groups was centred in NWA.
The indecisiveness was to cost Pakistan highly. Attack on PNS Mehran came in 2011 as did the suicide bombing in Charsadda, killing 80 paramilitary trainees. Kamra airbase was targeted the next year. During these two years scores of civilians died in terrorist attacks. During 2013 elections the terrorists killed a number of candidates. There were major attacks on Shias while about a hundred worshippers died when a Church was bombed in Peshawar. A serving general of the army was also targeted at Fazlullah’s directives. The terrorists shot trekkers belonging to different countries, damaging Pakistan’s image abroad and harming local economy in which tourism plays an important role.
The failure to launch the offensive at the right time allowed the terrorists to strengthen their position. They built tunnels and IED making factories in areas under their control. The PML-N which delayed the operation for full one year on the pretext of talks must also share the responsibility for the tragic consequences emanating from inaction.
While some might attribute Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas’ revelations to personal grudges, few would differ with his conclusions that the delay in operation strengthened the extremists, increasing their numbers, adding to their resourcefulness and providing them time to strengthen ties with one another. This explains the difficulties the operation is currently facing in NWA. Despite the softening of targets for a fortnight, the army is still taking casualties. Two more soldiers died in an ambush in Mirali on Tuesday, taking the total in 16 days to 19.
Are we not jumping the gun? I am no military man and as such cannot comment on Gen.Abbas,s conclusion. I know for sure COAS kiyani was given a unprecedent extension of Three years! The extension came as a "breaking News" in the early hours of the morning. It is rumored it was Admiral Mullen who pressurised the Govt.of the day.( read the book "no exit from Pakistan). Pakistan at that time had a civilian President and a civilian PM. Were they symbolic in nature ? Surely they could have ordered Kiyani to attack—did they? Gen Kiyani had earlier been ISI chief–surely he knew the strength and weaknesses of his own army which appear to be hopelessly ineffective as events regarding OBL showed.. We need more evidence about Kiyani,s decision not to attack before we hanging him to dry. I shudder to think what will happen if the present operation fails—more of Gen Abbas?
For any military operation to be successful, such as now launched in NWA, shaping the right environment is a pre-requisite, a domain of the political leadership. The steps deemed necessary are; (1) The operation should be legitimized by the parliament unequivocally, taking full ownership (2) It must be out rightly supported by the masses in general, media, the political leadership and, most importantly, the religious clergy (3) Massive rebuilding and political measures be undertaken to isolate the militant groups (4) Under no circumstances impression be given that such operations are being conducted on behest of USA or on her dictation.
In 2010-11, none of the above conditions existed for launching military operation in NWA. We must not forget that all the terrorists who moved over to Afghanistan after Swat/SWA operations were provided sanctuary by Af National Directorate of Security (by implication CIA and RAW Nexus) and now being used against Pakistan. Even now, we are likely to face the same situation as the border has not been sealed by Af security forces and those moving across are being wooed by hostile, as well as so-called friendly agencies. As earlier, they may use these terrorists to de-stabilize Pakistan, unless, of course, they have learnt lessons in last 12 years – the heavy cost paid for playing double-games with Pakistan.
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