The term Fifth-Generation War has become a favourite acronym
in Pakistan with media, politicians and analysts without the majority
understanding its true meanings. 4GW is a conflict characterized by a blurring
of the lines between war and politics, combatants and civilians. Fifth
Generation Warfare (5GW), once thought to be a generation too far in scope, has
arrived and is irreversibly changing the dimensions of war. 5GW has three
distinct characteristics: its potential to achieve supra-combinations, blur the
boundaries that have traditionally restricted warfare within a specified
military or political range and its ability to limit the role of modern combined
arms mechanized force in future conflict.
In its wake, 5GW has confronted many nations of the world, including Pakistan
with an evolving strategic paradigm. Some of the affected nations could also be
waging a fight against terrorists and must first confront this most potent and
real threat of terrorism. The war on terrorism in itself manifests unprecedented
advancements in the dimensions of conflict and has been characterized in many
ways. It has been called as a new type of war, where the enemy is not a defined
entity but a movement and as a war of ideas against extremism and without any
borders. War is a social institution that evolves along with changes in
societies, political entities and technologies; if a nation is to maintain its
security, it must also look beyond the war on terror and prepare itself for the
ascension of 5GW.
Realizing this threat,the COAS on the Defence day said we are facing the
challenge that has been imposed on us in the form of Fifth Generation or hybrid
war. Its purpose is to discredit the country and its armed forces and spread
chaos. We are well aware of this danger. We will surely succeed in winning this
war with the cooperation of the nation, by the will of Almighty Allah.The
primary objective of these nefarious activities is to mar the credibility of the
State, create a wedge between Army and the Executive, create mass unrest and
portray Pakistan unsafe for foreign investment and as a failed state. Such wars
are supported by external powers to fuel identity conflicts such as Pashtun
Tahaffuz Movement, provoking Balochistan insurgency or terrorism in whole
Pakistan. Indian intelligence agencies are actively involved in destabilizing
Pakistan.Balochistan issue is an example of India’s hybrid warfare against
Pakistan, which has been evolving from time to time.
India’s intention is to disrupt CPEC in Balochistan in future. Different
external actors are also involved in destabilizing Pakistan such as America and
western countries and some Arab countries also fund separatists and harbour
them. The AjitDoval doctrine indicates India’s hybrid warfare ambitions against
Pakistan. It envisages engaging the enemy at three levels – defensive,
defensive-offensive and offensive.Hybrid war already has been waged against
Pakistan especially in Balochistan where India is fueling the fire. Indian
efforts to blacklist Pakistan in financial action task force and get it tagged
as terror sponsored state is yet another form of economic blackmailing to get
strategic leverage on one’s adversary. Pakistan army fully understands the
hidden motives and objectives of international defamation campaigns. Pakistan
Army has effectively tackled Karachi’s lawlessness and successfully fought and
defeated two insurgencies in Balochistan and FATA.
Already the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in 2013, 5,379 Pakistanis were
martyred in terrorist attacks followed by 5,496 in 2014; 3,682 in 2015; 1,830 in
2016 and 924 in 2017. Hurting economy, forcing change of regime, creating
problems for armed forces, engineering inflation, unemployment, corruption;
weakening state institutions, sponsoring terrorism and sowing discord among the
adversary are some of the important tools of 5GW. Pakistan’s enemies are
applying these tools.
Alongside its valiant armed forces, the entire nation is ready to effectively
respond to the Indian tactic of hybrid warfare. Pakistan is the sixth-largest
contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping efforts, with 5,083 personnel
deployed overseas.Other foreign deployments have consisted of Pakistan military
personnel serving as military advisers in African and Arab countries. Pakistan
military has maintained combat divisions and brigade-strength presence in some
of the Arab countries during the Arab-Israel wars, aided the Coalition Forces in
the first Gulf War, and took part in the Somali and Bosnian conflicts. Realizing
the importance of fifth generation fighter aircraft, PAF is capable of refueling
F-16, Mirage III, Mirage-V, JF-17, and FC-20 fighters.
The myth of isolating Pakistan is fading away with increasing interests of
various countries in joining CPEC and hosting of ECO meeting. Pakistan is
projected as the centre of proliferation despite stringent measures on
Pakistan’s part. The adversary is targeting Pakistan from within through
extremists and terrorists as proxies for thousands cuts strategy. After the
overt nuclearization of Pakistan, any conventional war adventure will be too
costly for our adversaries. Fighting the Hybrid War against Pakistan under the
rubric of nuclear weapons has become preferred strategy by our adversaries.
“India has once again threatened peace in the region”, said the army chief,
adding that it was a fact that Kashmir was an internationally accepted dispute.
He said that Pakistan does not accept “any such unilateral decision” of the
Indian government. The armed forces of Pakistan are fully equipped, vigilant and
aware,” noted Gen Bajwa, adding that they would respond befittingly to any move
made by the enemy with full force. The Army Chief said that numerous stories of
solidarity, patriotism, sacrifice and bravery came to the forefront on September
6, 1965. He added that September 6 is not just a day for Pakistan but is a
“testament to our courage”. Gen Bajwa said the day is observed throughout the
country to remember the martyrs of 1948, 1965, 1971 and Kargil wars.The 5GW is
quite interesting development in this swiftly changing paradigm of war affairs,
where non state actors fight against nation state out of sheer frustration with
vague objectives.”
(The writer is Peshawar based freelance columnist)