General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the
Chief of the Army Staff, visited the Rajgal valley situated in the Khyber Agency
on August 5 where the COAS was given detailed briefing on the progress of
Operation Khyber 4 under which the Pakistani forces have cleared over 90% of the
objective area. The COAS appreciated the professionalism of the participating
troops including the support of PAF for skilfully targeting the terrorists'
strongholds which helped minimized own casualties. If this operation is
completed, Khyber Agency would be free of terrorists' influence thereby
providing environment for return of the TDPs and development prong to proceed.
Talking to the officers and troops participating the Operation Khyber IV, which
is part of Raddul Fasaad, the Chief of Army Staff thanked Allah for His
blessings which enabled the Pakistan Army to come up to the expectations of the
nation in their achievement against terrorism and militancy in the country. He
said that with the full backing of the nation we are heading towards a
normalized Pakistan where the writ of state and supremacy of law would be second
to none and where every Pakistani whether in cities, tribal or far flung areas
will be able to play their positive and rightful part in Pakistan's progress.
Pakistan Army launched this operation on July 16, 2017 which aimed at clearing
the 250 square kilometres area of Rajgal Valley and securing the areas up to
international border with Afghanistan while eliminating the terrorist hideouts
and establishing the writ of the state. The operation also aimed at creating
conducive conditions for the safe return and peaceful rehabilitation of the TDPs
from Rajgal Valley. A force of Division’s size, including troops from the
Special Services Group (SSG), is taking part in the operation with the active
support of Artillery, Pakistan Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force.
Operation Raddul Fasaad is continuing vigorously as the Frontier Corps (FC)
Balochistan on August 6 conducted intelligence-based operation (IBO) on
terrorist camps in Kohlu and Dera Bugti areas. The terrorists resisted to
security forces and during exchange of fire four terrorists were killed,
according to an Inter Services Public Relations statement. One FC soldier got
minor injuries. The killed terrorists were involved in extortion, kidnapping for
ransom, attacks on security forces and other sabotage activities. Terrorist
camps were dismantled, while improvised explosive devices (IEDs), other
explosives and communication equipment were also recovered.
The operations being conducted at various places across Pakistan have obviously
resulted in reducing the number of suicide attacks in the country; the decline
in attacks, incidents of terrorism and extremist violence, during the last nine
months when the operation Raddul Fasaad – an extension of Zarb-e-Azb – is an
evidence enough of the effectiveness of military and intelligence-based
operations in countering terrorism.
In 2013, there were 43 suicide attacks recorded, resulting in 751 people killed
and 1,411 injured, according to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal
website. In 2014, the year the Pakistan military launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb
targeting various militant groups, the number of suicide attacks dropped to 25,
killing 336 and injuring 601.
Nineteen suicide attacks took place in 2015 and again in 2016, while 10 suicide
attacks have been recorded so far this year, through July 9.
"Military operations and security measures have yielded positive results,
leading to a significant decline in suicide attacks and in casualties among
civilians and security personnel," security analyst Brig. (retd) Mehmood Shah of
Peshawar, former security secretary for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas
(FATA), said. "The Operation has proved to be the most fatal for the terrorists
and not only inflicted heavy casualties on the militants but also destroyed
their hideouts, training camps and weapons depots in North Waziristan," he said
and added, "After the launch of the Operation, the graph of terrorism has
dropped to the lowest level in the country."
Some 1,816 militants belonging to proscribed organizations in Pakistan were
killed in operations in 2015 and 2016, while 5,611 were arrested, according to
the National Action Plan Tracker Report 2016, published by the Centre for
Research and Security Studies in April. Pakistan has done remarkably well in the
past few years in its fight against terrorism, the report says, as a result of
which violence-related fatalities decreased across the country by 66% between
2014 and 2016.
The Pakistani military's new Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, launched in February, is
also containing militancy and strengthening the gains of the previous operation,
Shah said. Targeted security operations throughout the country and the
tightening of security at the border with Afghanistan, including construction of
fences in porous areas, have also discouraged militancy, he said.
"The decline in suicide attacks is the outcome of the overall improvement in
security in recent years," said Abdullah Khan, managing director of the
Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies
(PICSS), adding, North Waziristan was the strongest base of militants, where the
terrorists used to train newly recruited militants, and explosive devices were
also manufactured there."
Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasaad eliminated the militant strongholds while
intelligence-based operations have made it impossible for terror outfits to
regroup in Pakistan. In recent attacks, the security personnel have found out
that the suicide bombers were trained in Afghanistan; this development
represents a reversal of past trends.
Border security and military operations alone are not enough to end militancy in
Pakistan, said Murtaza Mughal, chairman of the Islamabad chapter of
Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust, a research institution. "The government and the
security agencies must hold accountable the influential abettors, facilitators
and financiers of terrorists in the country", he said and added "Until the
financiers and facilitators of militants are given exemplary punishment,
reviving a long-lasting peace in the country will remain a dream."
Those who work hard in silence and let their success make the noise are the real
heroes that revel to create substantial impact with their unwavering
capabilities and unmatched ample perseverance. General Qamar Javed Bajwa is such
a hero who has proven his worth and competencies in a diminutive period and has
exhibited his potentials of grit and insight.
It has been nine months since General Qamar Javed Bajwa was appointed as the
COAS, one of the most highly prestigious and powerful positions in Pakistan. It
is never easy to hold office of such responsibility especially when the
predecessor has set such high bars of expectations. Gen (r) Raheel Sharif has
been an acclaimed asset of Pakistan and has served to be not only a great leader
for the Pakistan Army but has also been a cherished lead for whole of the
nation. Geneneral Qamar Javed Bajwa has manifestly sustained the legacy of the
former but also set new bars of committed excellence by being low profile but
firm with describing decisions.
One of the reasons for his appointment as a COAS was his pro democratic track
record. And it has been witnessed that despite Pakistan experiencing political
fluctuations, and recently the ouster of Prime Minister through Supreme Court
verdict, the COAS, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has strengthened the democracy
scenario and let the democracy get mature and run its course with upholding the
Constitution prime and supreme. The pro-democracy standing of the COAS has added
to mark the political stability and washed away any concerns that shadowed
otherwise.
Dawn leaks has been a sensitive issue and demanded a solution which was handled
with subtle amicability. An intense fallout of the Dawn leaks story and the
committed follow-up by the Army and COAS has led to investigation of the matter
and dismissal of the responsible was realized. It is clearly the standing of the
COAS at not surrendering the issue that led to set an example to adhere to the
ethical norms of journalism and exhibited the vivid message that any attempt to
malign the institutions of Pakistan, especially the Armed Forces, will not be
dealt with leniency.
Another recent delicate matter sparked after the unfortunate terrorist attack in
Parachinar where the bomb blasts claimed more than 80 precious lives while
injuring another 200. After the bomb blasts in Parachinar, a large gathering of
people observed a sit-in as a protest against the terrorist attacks in a Shia
dominated area and demanded a profound action against the culprits. Such a
terrorist attack is targeted to disrupt the sectarian concord in the expanse and
exploit the situation adding fuel to the fire. In this delicate matter COAS Gen
Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Parachinar to offer condolences to the grieving
families.
Furthermore he also held a meeting with the tribal elders and the families of
the victims to resolve the anger that led to the sit-in situation and diminish
the anguish of the community. It was indeed a sensitive issue but the elders and
families exhibited their faith and support with the Pakistan Army and its
leadership. The local elders and the victim families resolved that they are
Pakistanis and Muslims only and their blood is for Pakistan. It is creditable
for the COAS to be able to restore assurance and unity amongst the community.
The Pak-Afghan relations have perceived vacillations in the past as the
terrorism remains the core issue disrupting the peace at both sides. COAS Gen
Qamar Javed Bajwa cited to extend its support with Afghanistan in order to
eradicate the cancer of terrorism and to deal with the issue with utmost support
and resilience. And Pakistan Army will extend coordinated efforts with
Afghanistan to resolve the issue.
Moreover in the start of the year surgical strikes were carried out in
Afghanistan by Pakistan Army targeting the terrorist camps. It was a first for
Pakistan Army as it has never been initiated before. These strikes were carried
out after substantial evidence and intelligence was gained on these camps
related to the tragedy at Laal Shahbaz shrine which claimed nearly 90 valuable
lives and left the country in anguish and dismay. The tormented nation demanded
a strong action against the responsible elements. With the nation standing
behind the Army, the strikes were carried out by Pakistan Army on the terrorist
camps which reflects the inner strength of the Army leadership and its resolve
to stamp out any internal or external threats making attempts to destabilize
Pakistan.
To further control the cross border terrorist movement, Pakistan Army started
the fencing of the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is also a first
for Pakistan as over a decade the problem has erected challenges for the
security forces. Fencing the borders will allow a better monitoring of the
border and will hinder the escape routines for the terrorists. The construction
of the fence will be carried out in two phases. In the phase one, the
'high-infiltration prone' border which includes the areas of Bajaur, Mohmand and
Khyber Agencies will be sealed off. In the second phase, the railing of the
remaining border areas of Balochistan will be carried out.
Another achievement of General Qamar Javed Bajwa in his nine months of holding
the office is sparing the troops for carrying out Census. It was established
that the much overdue National Population Census could not be carried out
without the involvement of the Army troops. Despite the engagements of the Army
in anti-terrorist operations, General Qamar Bajwa approved utilization of
200,000 troops for the activity. It was a difficult decision as the troops were
to be spared not compromising on the security of the region and the efficiency
of the operational activities. The Census was carried out with the Pakistan Army
troops involved in all the steps with the trained staff to provide security
oversight to the teams and also to ensure the validity and exactness of the
collected data. General Bajwa, along with the Army leadership, kept tabs on the
troops’ efficacy and monitored each step to ensure exactitude of the process and
eliminate any concerns by the stakeholders.
The deployment of troops in Census did not hamper the efforts of Pakistan Army
to uproot the threats lurking to destabilize the country. In a recent
intelligence based operation carried out in Mustang region of Balochistan, 12
hardcore terrorists were killed. In difficult landscape of caves, the operation
was carried out to target notable banned terrorists belonging to
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al Alami who were reported to be in hiding. There were
actionable reports that the organization has been collaborating with Daesh to
provide a foothold for its operations inside Pakistan. It was alarming and an
immediate action was required. The said operation was conducted by Pakistan Army
for almost three days and successful results were attained. An attempt of
footing intended for Daesh was dealt with prompt action and eliminated
successfully and is certainly a great accomplishment for General Bajwa’s
leadership. Furthermore in a short time more than 600 rebels in Balochistan have
surrendered. General Bajwa has also expressed great support for the development
in Balochistan.
Zarb-e-Azb, a defining manoeuvre against all threats of terrorism has proved to
be a final blow to the terrorist networks. The operation initiated in time of
General (r) Raheel Shareef, is still continuing in the name of Raddul Fasaad
under the current leadership with utmost zest and zeal. The continuation of the
aggressive operations has led to significant outcomes. But this operation which
broke the terrorist networks also stemmed in sleeper cells and isolated
terrorist snares a thwart the country. To eradicate these hideouts, a new
operation Rudd–ul-fasaad was initiated. This on-going intel-based operation is
collaborated between different intelligence agencies and theSecurity Forces of
Pakistan to sweep for terrorists nationwide and conduct targeted operations. For
the first time, such targeted operations were carried out in Punjab and a number
of terrorists were apprehended and the terrorist sanctuaries destroyed. The
operation is carried out in every city, every province of Pakistan concurrently
and is the biggest operation of its kind in the history of Pakistan.
Genera; Qamar Javed Bajwa also accompanied the then Prime Minister to Saudi
Arabia to help resolve the Gulf conflict. Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt,
Bahrain and UAE cut off all ties with Qatar on the alleged support for extremism
and terrorism. Pakistan played neutrality and offered to extend its help to
resolve the issue as Pakistan relishes brotherly relations with all the Gulf
countries.
Last month, Pakistan successfully carried out the test of The Hatf IX
("Vengeance IX") or Nasr which is a tactical ballistic missile system. The
successful test of this missile with improved range is deployed to deter and
respond to India’s cold start doctrine. It is developed as a "low-yield
battlefield deterrent" which marks at mechanized forces like armed brigades and
divisions and can be used against Indian Army on Pakistani soil as the blast
yield is much lower than strategic nuclear missile.
The nine months of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, have proved
him to be a pragmatic leader initiating bold and timely responses. In the hour
of need, Gen Qamar Bajwa was seen in the forefront retorting to any
call-for-action with readiness and insight. Certainly the achievements of
Pakistan Army in strengthening Pakistan, clearly reflects the dauntless and
valiant leaderand fortifies the reliance of the Armed Forces and the nation in
Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. Surely the COAS of Pakistan Army, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa
not only kept high the legacy and elevated unwavering bar set by his predecessor
but he also touched new heights of achievements and deliverance.
(The authors contribute as freelance columnists)