Pak-Army joint operations ” Al-Mizan (2002-2006) to Operation Khyber.4–(2017) Operation Khyber-4 successfully completed in Rajgal Valley.. Report by;Asghar Ali Mubarak
Pak-Army joint operations ” Al-Mizan (2002-2006) to Operation Khyber.4–(2017) Operation Khyber-4 successfully completed in Rajgal Valley. Report by;Asghar Ali Mubarak
”We are building peace in our country brick by brick and moving from relative stability towards enduring peace. says ”Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa
Islamabad;The first phase of the Operation Khyber-4 has been successfully completed. The valley associated with Brekh Top is now being cleared. The mountain top itself was cleared in an operation carried out by the Special Services Group (SSG).Pakistan Army launched Operation Khyber-4 on 16th July, 2017 under Operation Radd -ul- Fasaad (RuF) in the Rajgal Valley area of Khyber Agency.During the Operation Khyber-4 cleared Brekh Top, many terrorists were killed with a few managing to escape to Afghanistan.Operation Khyber-4 is the code-name for a military offensive being conducted by Pakistan’s military in the Khyber Agency in four phases; Khyber-1, Khyber-2, Khyber-3 and Khyber-4.Khyber Agency is among Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, rife with insurgents and militants. No one wants peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan.Terrorist organisations including Al Qaeda and ISIS have had presence there. On 16th July, 2017 the DG ISPR read out a message from Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Jawed Bajwa during the press conference: “We are building peace in our country brick by brick and moving from relative stability towards enduring peace. For this, the army should continue to perform its role with support of all other state institutions.The Pakistan Army was established in 1947, since then it has been involved in four wars with neighbors India and several border skirmishes with Afghanistan. The Pakistan Army has had to battle the terrorists within Pakistan for a long time.Comparing the first operation to the last, there is a huge learning process for the Pakistan Military as well. Besides being trained as a force for conventional warfare, presently the military forces have become well equipped and trained to fight unconventional warfare effectively. The ground forced are now well acquainted with the terrain, surrounding areas’ and local tribal population. Among all major military operations in Pakistan, Operation Rah-e-Rast and Zarb-e-Azb have been the most successful in eliminating terrorists. Operation Zarb-e-Azb was the biggest and most well-co-ordinated operation ever conducted against terrorists.’ And that it was a ‘war of survival’ hence that operation holds greater significance among all the operations conducted so far.
he Pakistan Armed Forces are the sixth largest in the world in terms of active military personnel and the largest among Muslim countries. The Pakistan Armed Forces are the best-organized institution in Pakistan, and are highly respected in civil society.Since the founding of Pakistan, the military has played a key role in holding the state together, promoting a feeling of nationhood and providing a bastion of selfless service.The Pakistan Armed Forces were formed in 1947 when Pakistan became independent from the British Empire.Since then, the Armed Forces have played a decisive role in the modern history of Pakistan, fighting major wars with India in 1947, 1965 and 1971, 1999 and on several occasions seizing control of the civilian government to restore order in the country.Between 1947 1971and 1999 Pakistan has fought direct conventional wars against India, with the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 witnessing the secession of East Pakistan as independent Bangladesh.Rising tensions with Afghanistan in the 1960s and an indirect proxy war fought against the Soviet Union in the 1970s led to a sharp rise in the development of the Pakistan Armed Forces.In 1999, an extended period of intense border-skirmishing with India, the so-called Kargil War, resulted in a redeployment of forces.The armed forces comprise three main service branches – Army, Navy, and Air Force – together with a number of paramilitary forces and the Strategic Plans Division Force.Chain of command of the Military is organized under the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) alongside Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy, and air force.All of the branches work together during operations and joint missions under the Joint Staff Headquarters JS HQ.The Pakistan military has its roots in the British Indian Army, in which many British Indian Muslims served during World War II, prior to the Partition of India.Upon Partition, military formations with a Muslim majority were transferred to Pakistan,while on an individual basis Indian Muslims could choose to transfer their allegiance to the new Pakistani military. Those who did so included Ayub Khan (British Indian Army), Haji Mohammad Siddiq Choudri (Royal Indian Navy), and Asghar Khan (Royal Indian Air Force).Many of the senior officers who would form the Pakistan Armed Forces had fought with the British forces in World War II, thus providing the newly created country with the professionalism, experience, and leadership it would need in its wars against India.In a formula arranged by the British, military resources were to have been divided between India and Pakistan in a ratio of 64% going to India and 36% for Pakistan; however, Pakistan initially demanded 50% of the equipment.
The Pakistani military retained British military traditions and doctrine until 1956, when the United States dispatched a special Military Assistance Advisory Group to Pakistan; from this point, American military tradition and doctrine was generally adopted by Pakistan’s military.In March 1956, the Pakistani military order of precedence of three services changed from “Navy-Army-Air Force” to “Army-Navy-Air Force”.In the 1990s, the additional reforms of the military eventually changed the order of precedence to Army-Navy-Air Force-Marines; though the Marines remained part of the Navy, not a separate service branch.The Pakistan Army since its established in 1947 has been involved wars with India and battle the terrorists for a long time. After the September 11 attacks in the United States of America, Pakistan joined hands with international forces for peace , US-led War on Terror helped the international forces by severing ties with the Taliban.
The Pakistan Army joint operations are;
Operation Al-Mizan (2002-2006)
Operation Rah-Haq (November 2007)
Operation Sher-e-Dil ( September 2008)
Operation Zalzala (2008-2009)
Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem (2008)
Operation Rah-e-Rast (May 2009)
Operation Rah-e-Nijaat ( October 2009)
Operation Koh-e-Sufaid (July 2011)
Operation Zarb-e-Azb (2013)
Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad February 2017
Operation Khyber-1 ;on 17th October, 2014
Operation Khyber-2 –February 2015 to June 15th, 2015
Operation Khyber-3 -August, 2016 to July 2017
Operation Khyber-4 in July, 2017
Operation Al-Mizan (2002-2006)
This was the first major Operation Al-Mizan (2002-2006)
of Pakistan Army against the militant groups working against Pakistan. At that time the Army Chief was General Pervez Musharraf, who deployed forces in FATA of around 70,000-80,000 men. The loss security personnel’ was around 1200-1500 soldiers as it was the first major operation inside the country and the army faced a huge loss due to lack of information about the methodology of the enemy, their hideouts and barely know-how of the terrain. Full convoys were targeted by the Taliban militants in the initial stages causing many casualties. Besides the basic infantry, Special Force units of the Pakistan Army, the elite SSG (Special Service Group) were also directly engaged in fighting. This operation comprised of many small operations too such as Operation Kalosha II, which took place in South Waziristan. Lack of public and national support at that time created hurdles in the smooth progress of the operation.
Operation Rah-Haq (November 2007)
In May 2004 clashes erupted between Pakistan Troops and Al- Qaeda and the other militants joined by local rebels and pro-Taliban forces. The offensive was poorly coordinated and the Pakistan Army suffered heavy casualties. After a two-year conflict (2004-2006) The Pakistan Military negotiated a ceasefire with the tribesmen from the region where they pledged to hunt down Al-Qaeda , stop Talibanisation of the region and to stop attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the militants did not keep their word and started to rebuild and took over Lal Masjid in Islamabad. After a six-month standoff, a fight erupted in 2007 when the Pakistan Military decided to use force to end the Lal Masjid threat. Once the operation was over the newly formed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella group of militants based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) vowed revenge and launched a wave of attacks and suicide bombings in North-West Pakistan and major cities. The militants expanded their base of operations and moved to the Swat Valley. The first phase of Operation Rah-e-Haq commenced in November 2007 in collaboration with the local police against Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) in the Swat Valley. The militants however gradually infiltrated into key cities. The second phase began in July 2008 and continued throughout the year. This operation resulted in the deaths of 36 security persons, 9 civilians’ and 615 militants. The third was launched in January 2009, which ended after a peace accord, known as Malakand Accord that was signed between the Government and TNSM.
Operation Sher-e-Dil ( September 2008)
The Pakistan Army launched Operation Sher-e-Dil on September 9, 2008 in Bajaur Agency to target all the militant groups that threatened the security of Pakistan. By early December over 1000 militants and 63 security personnel had been killed.
Operation Zalzala (2008-2009)
This operation was launched in South Waziristan Agency in January 2008 against Baitullah Mehsud and his supporters. Around 200,000 locals are estimated to have been displaced, though it cleared most of SWA and security forces destroyed over 40,000 houses.
Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem (2008)
Commenced in June 2008 but was halted by the Army on July 9, 2008 in Bara Tehsil, Khyber Agency- FATA. It was launched by Pakistan Army’s 40m infantry Division. PM Yousuf Raza Gillani’s government ordered the Army against the Taliban forces in Khyber Agency. The immediate trigger for the operation was two kidnappings in Peshawar of six women and a group of 16 Christians by the Islamic group Lashkar-e-Islam. Two militants and one soldier were killed in this operation. However, the major leader managed to escape to an unknown location. Soon after the capture of Bara Tehsil the operation was put to a stop.
Operation Rah-e-Rast (May 2009)
In May 2009 an operation in Swat was launched after the accord failed to ensure peace in the region. Major offensive took place in Mingora in the last week of May and by the end of the month, Pakistan Army regained its control over Mingora.
Operation Rah-e-Nijaat ( October 2009)
October 2009 the army launched a combat against militants in South Waziristan with the help of gunship helicopters and aircraft. The major objective of this operation was to destroy the militant stronghold in the region.
Operation Koh-e-Sufaid (July 2011)
July 4, 2011 the Pakistan Army launched another operation against the militants in Kurram Agency located within the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Operation Koh-e-Sufaid (White Mountain) targeted militants in Kurram with the principal objective of securing and re-opening Thall Parachinar road which had been repeatedly under attack by Sunni Militants.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb (2013)
In 2012, the Pakistan Army was able to take control of major towns of the Malakand Division and many tribal agencies. Only swamp left was North Waziristan. Even though Chief of General Staff (CGS) and Corps Commanders gave a nod for the operation COAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani didn’t give the final go. The reason for this was that the general public wasn’t in favor of military operations and also that the army wasn’t well trained for the major task and difficult terrain. When General Raheel Sharif succeeded Kayani in November 2013, he gave the final order and by June 2014 the operation was started.Operation Zarb-e-Azb was conducted against the militant groups like Tehrik-i-Pakistan (TTP), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Al-Qaeda, Jundallah and the Haqqani Network. After one and a half years of Zarb-e-Azb phenomenal success was achieved. The terrorists’ backbone was broken and their structure dismantled. Nexus sleeper cells largely disrupted and with the Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) the remaining sleeper cells were busted. 3400 terrorists were killed, 837 hideouts destroyed from where the activities were being conducted. And another 183 hardcore terrorists killed, 21193 arrested. However this success came with a high price, 488 valiant officers, men of Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps KPK, Balochistan, Rangers Sindh sacrificed their lives and 1914 were injured.The result of this was the overall improved security situation and the terrorist attacks in Pakistan had dropped to a six-year low since 2008.
Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad 22 February 2017
The Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was a codename of a combined efforts by the Pakistani military in support of local law enforcement agencies to deweaponized and eliminate the hidden terrorist sleeper cells across the country on 22 February 2017.The operation was aimed at eliminating the threat of terrorism, and consolidating the gains of Operation Zarb-e-Azb which was launched in 2014 as a joint military offensive. It is further aimed at ensuring the security of Pakistan’s borders. The operation were active participation from Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Police and other Civil Armed Forces managed under the Ministry of Interior.The operation entailed the conduct of Broad Spectrum Security (Counter Terrorism) operations by Rangers in Punjab, continuation of ongoing operations across the country and focus on more effective border security management.Countrywide de-weaponisation and explosive control were also given as additional objectives of the Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad . The National Action Plan was pursued as the hallmark of this operation.In the month of February 2017, the terrorist group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar launched Operation Ghazi with several suicide attacks across Pakistan. Under the general consensus by some “top notch” defense “analysts”, army personnel and general public. The Jammat-ul-Ahrar claimed the responsibility of all terror attacks and said this is the revenge of Abdul Rashid Ghazi’s death who was shot dead by Pakistan army in Lal Masjid during an Operation Sunrise. Pakistan army’s ISPR announced the launch of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.On 23 February 2017, at least 45 suspects were arrested in Rawalpindi operations was conducted in Westridge, Dhoke Hassu and Bakery Chowk area of Rawalpindi .Frontier Corps (FC) and intelligence agencies foiled a major terror plot near Loralai, Balochistan. The security forces recovered 23 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during the joint targeted operation.On 26 February 2017, the apex committee of Punjab decided to expedite ongoing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad against terrorists across the province.Operation Radd-ul-Fasad was announced as a continuation of the National Action Plan (NAP).The Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was widely criticised for its apparently half-hearted implementation, NAP had been formulated after the devastating attack on Army Public School Peshawar in December 2014.In the deadliest terror attack in the country’s history, 131 schoolchildren and 10 other people were killed when heavily armed militants stormed Army Public School Peshawar .A spokesman for the outlawed Mullah Fazlullah-led Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan accepted responsibility for the attack on Army Public School Peshawar .As part of the plan, military courts were established to fast-track terrorism cases. Intelligence-based operations across the country initiated to disrupt and destroy terror networks in urban and rural areas. NAP had also promised to take action against seminaries involved in militancy, but the government had dithered on bringing them under control, apparently for fear of backlash from religious parties as well as militants.
The plan further envisaged countering hate speech and extremist material through the powers vested in the provincial police and other authorities. Pemra and other regulatory authorities were tasked with checking and banning glorification of terrorism and militant groups through print and electronic media. The drafting of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct was also a positive step.The provinces were further instructed under NAP to raise a counter-terrorism force under a dedicated command structure.
Operation Khyber
The Operation Khyber was originally announced in 2014 as a part of Pakistan Army’s extension of Operation Zarb-e-Azab to parts of Khyber. It has been divided in to four phases since then, Khyber-4 being the ongoing phase targeting ISIS among other terrorist organizations.The first phase of the Operation Khyber-4 has been successfuly compleated.The valley associated with Brekh Top is now being cleared. The mountain top itself was cleared in an operation carried out by the Special Services Group (SSG).During the operation to clear Brekh Top, many terrorists were killed with a few managing to escape to Afghanistan, according to the details receved by the ISPR.The terrorists’ hideouts were cleared and caches of IEDs, arms and ammunition were recovered during the operation.The Director General (DG) ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor on 16th July 2017 announced the launch of Operation Khyber-4 under Radd-ul-Fasaad to “wipe out terrorists” in the Rajgal Valley area of Khyber Agency.”An operation to wipe out terrorists has been launched in Rajgal valley in Khyber Agency,” Major General Ghafoor said.Khyber 4 seeks to target terrorist hideouts in what the DG ISPR called “the most critical area in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata)”.Operation Khyber-4 is the code-name for a military offensive being conducted by Pakistan’s military in the Khyber Agency in four phases; Khyber-1, Khyber-2, Khyber-3 and Khyber-4.Khyber Agency is among Pakistan’s seven semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border, rife with insurgents and militants. Terrorist organisations including Al Qaeda and ISIS have had presence there. The plains of Bara hold strategic significance for militant groups as they connect the agency to the outskirts of Peshawar. The key area also straddles the NATO supply line into Afghanistan. The region has been long fought over by a mix of militant organisations, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Ansarul Islam and Mangal Bagh’s Lashkar-e-Islam.
Operation Khyber-1 ;on 17th October, 2014
The Khyber-1 amid failed attempts to negotiate with militants, Pakistan army declared the time to negotiate for terrorists operating in the restive Tehsil was over and that militants had no option but to either lay down arms or face a military crackdown. The operation ‘Khyber-1’ began with airstrikes against Lashkar-e-Islam outs in areas under the Mangal Bagh led group’s control in Tirah and Bara on 17th October, 2014, Ultimately killing 21 militants including Mangal Bagh and destroying their three key bases. Sources said the main aim of the operation was to clear Khyber from Bara to the border of Tirah valley, following which the second phase of the operation will begin.
Operation Khyber-2 –February 2015 to June 15th, 2015
The Khyber-2 announced in February, 2015 and launched in March, 2015, Operation Khyber-2 aimed to clear the Tirah valley main target being Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Tirah valley consists of deep valleys and high mountains, a suitable time of year was chosen, although resulting in many casualties of Pakistan Armed Forces, the operation was successful. The operation was formally ended on June 15th, 2015 marking a one year anniversary of Operation Zarb-e-Azab.
Operation Khyber-3 from 16th August, 2016 to 16th July 2017
The Khyber-3Launched on 16th August, 2016, Khyber-3 intended to clear areas beyond the Tirah valley closer to the Durand line, nine militant dens were decimated along the border, Large dumps of arms and ammunitions were discovered, More than 40 terrorists were killed and 21 injured, the operation ended up greatly affecting the cross border movement of terrorists.The operation Khyber-3 was conceived ended with the start of Khyber-4.
Operation Khyber-4 in July, 2017
The first phase of the Operation Khyber-4 has been successfuly compleated.The valley associated with Brekh Top is now being cleared. Operation Khyber-4 was announced in July, 2017 as part of Pakistani army’s ongoing offensive Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad against militancy launched on 16th July, 2017, Phase 1 aimed to clear Rajgal valley, targeting Jamat-ul-Ahrar among other terrorist organizations, more than 13 terrorists were killed and 6 injured, A Pakistani soldier was also killed in exchange of fire, a total area of 90 kilometres was cleared with the help of Pakistan Air Force, the Inter Services Public Relations announced the end of first phase of Operation Khyber-4 on 21st July, 2017 declaring the operation to be successful.
Pakistan Army’s Operation Khyber-4, launched under Operation Raddul Fasaad (RuF) in the Rajgal Valley area of Khyber Agency.According to the ISPR, the operation has been yielding steady results: 13 terrorists were eliminated so far while six others have been debilitated.Army troops, including personnel from the Special Services Group, have cleared 90 square kilometres of area while advancing from multiple directions.The army’s bomb defuse teams have also successfully neutralised a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that terrorists had hidden underground, while “terrorist hideouts have been destroyed in targeted strikes by Pakistan Air Force, Army Aviation and Artillery”During exchange of fire a soldier, Sepoy Abdul Jabbar, laid down his life for the motherland. The Army had also informed Afghan forces ahead of the launch of Khyber-4 operation in Rajgal, which the Afghan army would be able to support on their side of the border if they wished. DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a press beriefing thay “Under Operation RuF, Pak Army will strengthen our border. We will be able to check cross-border movement of terrorists, and our coordination with Afghanistan in this regard is ongoing,” he said, as is the fencing of the border which is in its first phase.”The shared border with Afghanistan and Iran are being fenced,” Ghafoor said.It will be physically and technically monitored, with either forts or a checkpost every 1.5 kilometres, he said. Alongside the border fencing, Pakistan and Afghanistan will maintain an open-door policy for cooperation and discussion on bilateral issues, particularly in order to remove what he said was “a trust deficit” on the Afghan side.”If the Afghan army were as capable as the Pakistan Army, then maybe the issue [of terrorism] would be resolved sooner,” Ghafoor said. No one wants peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan,” the DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said, adding, “We need to bring peace in our country first.”Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor rejected claims that Daesh ─ or the militant Islamic State (IS) group ─ has any organised infrastructure in Pakistan.
“We will not allow them to establish themselves. In Afghanistan, yes, it is getting stronger, but we don’t believe it is the same as the Daesh in the Middle East,” he elaborated.
“In Pakistan, the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has shown an alliance with Daesh … Daesh as an organisation does not exist, but if splinter groups of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and other terror groups try to jump on the Daesh bandwagon, we are already taking care of them through other means, like in the Khyber-4 operation,” he said..
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