Author: Major General Abid Mumtaz, HI (M)
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Hilal Publications, ISPR Directorate
Publication Year: September-06-2019
Reviewed By: Asma Ishaq
The terrorism that hovered the dark shadows over Pakistan for a decade almost
was a result of infiltrated violent actors installed by the proven foreign aids
with the prime objectives to throw the country in the deep wells of economic
emergencies, socio-political turmoil and also sectarian division to create the
religious rift among the country fellows.
The response was much imminentfrom the Pakistan Armed Forces. Operation
Sherdil,commenced on August 06-2008 was one such response. It was not only a
‘say’ to be called ‘Battle for Pakistan’ but it proved to be the ‘watershed’
military resilience to break the backbone of the terrorists and to bring life
back to Pakistan. It was an operation that flagged and later on helped to plan
the next stage of operations to be carried.
Major General Abid Mumtaz has the honour of successful conduction of Operation
Sherdil,and now he has provided a very comprehensive account of the operation in
his memoir. He has sub-titled it, ‘The Battle of Bajaur.’ It is a
well-documented description of the planning, preparation and conduction of the
operation. In his own words, “This book is more of a first-hand narration of
events that were experienced personally and also about the emotional attachment
that was there with me for those fellow comrades instead of meant only for
glorification.”The content of book has been specified in the four chapters that
makes quite easier for the readers to read and understand the background,
planning, stages, analysis and lessons of this operation. There are
Acknowledgements, Epilogue and the Roll of Honour. (Shaheeds) The book has maps
and pictures that add support to understand the area of operation.
At first, this book provides a detailed information of the Bajaur Agency. This
agency Bajaur is located at the Northern limb of FATA and it had been much a
desired route for the invaders due to its geostrategic importance since long
from the history too. From Alexander to Mughal Emperor Babur, the invaders used
this route to enter into the region. After independence prior to 1960, it was
under the dominance of Malakhand Agency ruled by the Khanates along with the two
local tribes one Tarkhai and other Uthman Khels; off-shoots of Yousafzai Tribe.
The post 1973, it got federated with the FATA. The Soviet Union’s invasion 1979
over Afghanistan brought the militancy-elements on account of the geographical
proximity with Afghanistan making it the centre-stage for the Afghan Mujahedeen.
The event of 9/11 brought the Al-Qaeda and Afghan Taliban militantsand taking
the conspicuous charge of the area. There was a strong challenge observed
against the writ of State that produced a power-shift to be given to Maulvi
Faqir Muhammad proclaimed by the TTP Shaura.In 2007, TTP violated the Peace
Agreement in Swat and it was the similar response from them in Waziristan too
where two Peace Agreements were revoked. Thus, Bajaur became a safe haven for
the TTP terrorists and the most critical component during the time of the Tahrik
E Taliban Pakistan control in the area.The weak administration of governance and
socio-economic drawbacks became the favorable conditions for these people to
augment the insurgency. The US drone attack near Damadola against a seminary in
2006 highlighted Bajaur in the international media.
Operation Sherdil was indeed one of the toughest missions, Bajaur is a
mountainous terrain and crisscrossed by the ravines.In the first two phases of
operation, the advancement and clearance of Rashakai onto Loe Sum met all the
obstacles. The plans for clearance the routes and later on of the valleys took
episodes, even lingered on in wait for a favorable point to advance ahead and
many nights were spent in the long fights. The enemy was well equipped, also
fully aware of the crisscross of the hills and nullahs whereas the Forces with
the preparation, planning, ammunition and training was there to fight. The
author wrote at one place that there was a time when the soldiers were fatigued
due to sleepless nights yet they stood in the face of all odds.
The 26 Brigade in the Command of Maj. Gen. Abid Mumtaz performed the exemplary
valour and services to clear the areas full of dangers and challenges. This
Brigade was comprised of 25 Punjab, 34 Baloch and 7 Sindh. From the planning,
preparation and training of the operation in the arduous conditions, yet it was
made sure to make the 26 Brigade an invincible force against the hardcore
terrorists who definitely had few advantages for being the accustomed with the
extreme weather conditions of the both cold and hot nature, routes, valley,
alleys and mazes etc. The General in Command remained a clear-headed instructor
throughout the course. Later, the clearance of valleys gave access to those
nasty dens. These hideouts were equipped with the greater defence system than
estimation, laced with inter connected tunnels, fortified bunkers, mouse holes
and the IEDs. Similarly, the training material and literature were also
recovered from the local seminaries. All this was a testimony that it had been a
result of TTP’s long time strong hold in the area.
It is not just a myth but the proven-reality now that the Pakistan Armed Forces
are the only Forces that have won the war against hardcore terrorists.The
Operation Sherdil is apt to be called the ‘Lionhearted Expedition’ as it is the
full length of kinetic force engagements utilized by the Armed Forces to
eradicate the terrorists. The martyrdom stories in the book from the operation
are there for all the country men that this peace is due to all those heroic
sons.
The gains of this operation must be analyzed further in particular to end all
those conditions, causes and also to keep a check over all. These were the
socio-economic compulsions that gave rise to the insurgency. There should be
some mechanism to address those individuals who are ‘haves-not’ of the society
and they get trapped in the hands of religious militants who only know to meet
their criminal objectives while presenting a false interpretation of religious
doctrine. They exploit the needs and grievances of these sturdy young men who
consider it ‘an auspicious escape’ from the realities of life. The Political
Administration should be actively involved to maintain the progressive societal
framework of the area for always.
Blessed the fallen-honoured-souls in the line duty!
Pakistan Zindabad!