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US Intensifies its Strikes in NWFP under Kayanis Watch

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Published: Saturday, Oct 15, 2011, 13:37 IST
Place: Washington, DC | Agency: PTI

While keeping the option of targeted raids on top Haqqani leaders on the table, the US administration has opened a new more aggressive approach towards the Afghan insurgent group, it asserts is supported by Pakistan government.

The part of the new strategy is to carry out more dense missile attacks near the Haqqani headquarters in the North Waziristan capital of Miranshah, a city rarely targeted in the past by American drones, Washington Post reported quoting senior Obama Administration officials.

The opening salvos of the new approach have already been launched in the form of intensified drone strikes over North Waziristan. The US drones have struck the area four time in three days, claiming a toll of 19 Haqqani insurgents, including a ranking member Janbaz Zadran alias Jamil.

Zadran was a lieutenant of Badruddin Haqqani, the brother of network chief Sirajuddin Haqqani and was in-charge of communications and logistics for the Haqqani network.

The decision to strike Miran Shah was made at a National Security Council meeting chaired by President Barack Obama two weeks ago and was intended to "send a signal" that the United States would no longer tolerate a safe haven for the most lethal enemy of US forces in Afghanistan, or Pakistan's backing for it, the Post said quoting several US officials.

The strikes were made possible by focusing intelligence collection to "allow us to pursue certain priorities," the official said.

The senior Haqqani figure, Zadran, was selected along with other targets to "demonstrate how seriously we take the Miran Shah" threat.

Officials said military options debated at the September 29 meeting were set aside for now, including the possibility of a ground operation against Haqqani leaders similar to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May.

Although the administration has left the raid option on the table, the potential negatives of such an operation — including the possible collapse of Pakistan's military leadership and civilian government — are seen as far outweighing its benefits.

Even as it cracks down on the Haqqani network, the White House has authorised more intensive reconciliation efforts with its leaders and those of other Afghan insurgent groups, leaving open a track initiated in August when US officials met in a Persian Gulf kingdom with Ibrahim Haqqani, the brother of the group's patriarch.

The meeting was arranged by Pakistan's intelligence chief, Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who also attended, American officials said.

The Post said along with military options, the US was also pursuing a drive to enlist South and Central Asian countries, including China, to join and support an international reconciliation effort in Afghanistan.

With major international conferences on the war scheduled for November 2 in Istanbul and December 5 in Bonn, Germany, "what we want to do is provide an international basis of support for a political outcome in Afghanistan" that will match the military timeline adopted by NATO last November, the administration official said.

There has been widespread speculation that insurgent representatives may attend on the margins of either or both meetings, although "I wouldn't hazard a prediction at this point," the official said.

An additional outcome of the NSC meeting, officials said, was an order for various players — the Defence Department, the CIA, the State Department, and the White House itself — to stop sending mixed messages to Pakistan and others about the administration's war policies.

In a series of meetings with the national security team the following week, the White House reviewed long-standing options in Pakistan, ranging from outright attack to diplomacy, along with the likely ramifications of each, a process that culminated in the September 29 NSC meeting.

Obama had gradually lost faith in Pakistan and its weak civilian leadership, officials said. But the core goal of their efforts, the president reminded his team, was the elimination of Pakistan-based al-Qaeda. It was important, he warned them, that "nobody takes their eye off the ball."

Officials were instructed to calm European partners, telling them that while there would be more "edge”" to the administration's approach toward Pakistan, there would be no dramatic policy change, a European diplomat said. The Europeans, another said, were assured that no ground attack was in the offing.

Obama's national security adviser, Thomas E Donilon, conveyed administration resolve to Pakistani military chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani at a secret meeting in Saudi Arabia. The United States wanted a relationship with Pakistan, officials said Donilon told Kayani, but it also wanted the Haqqani attacks to stop.

Pakistani officials said Donilon offered Kayani three choices: kill the Haqqani leadership, help us kill them, or persuade them to join a peaceful, democratic Afghan government.
 
US is following the same failed approach that it has been doing for the last several years , nothing has changed.
Whenever they suffer losses in Afghanistan they lob a few strikes in Pakistan thinking that this will miraculously solve their problem in Afghanistan.
 
I imagine Kiyani as a miskeen insaan who was that bullied kid who got made the class monitor and is now going around saying "Hey don't do that" and gets smacked for running his mouth.

Will go down in Pakistan's history as General Poplu.
 
The article appears to be exaggerating the recent strikes in Miranshah - the US has regularly carried out strikes in Miranshah in the past:

drone strike miranshah 2010 - Google Search


The article also, as is the case with much of the reporting in the US media, offers a one sided version of the 'US-Pakistan Exchange', by focusing primarily on what the 'US demanded, and US said'.

Take this statement for example:

"Pakistani officials said Donilon offered Kayani three choices: kill the Haqqani leadership, help us kill them, or persuade them to join a peaceful, democratic Afghan government."

1. US: Kill the Haqqani Leadership
Pakistan: No - we are not making more enemies and expanding our war when our resources are already strained and the US has no clue about what it needs to do and how long it needs to stay engaged.

2. US: Help us kill the Haqqani leadership
Pakistan: NO - see above.

3. US: Persuade them to join a peaceful, democratic Afghan government
Pakistan: What the hell do you think we were talking about all these years when we kept telling you to engage with the Taliban in negotiations towards an end to the violent insurgency?

The article is the usual BS from the US Establishment trying to act tough and present a tough image to the domestic audience, especially since the administration is a democratic one, and has to sound and act tough to be taken as 'serious and strong on national security'

---------- Post added at 09:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:26 AM ----------

I imagine Kiyani as a miskeen insaan who was that bullied kid who got made the class monitor and is now going around saying "Hey don't do that" and gets smacked for running his mouth.

Will go down in Pakistan's history as General Poplu.
The US has been after Haqqani and Mullah Omar and Co. for how long now?

If they really are in Pakistan, and the ISI/PA really does not their location, then Kayani can certainly not be accused of caving in to American demands, since they have not been killed or handed over so far by Pakistan.
 
Miranshah is in North Waziristan which is part of Fata


NWFP has since been renamed at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa


How reliable is this piece?
 
Kayani cannot control what the US does from Afghanistan. The US can also be labeled weak for not invading Pakistan after the OBL incident, or the attacks on the US embassy & the Rabbani murder. Don't look at these issues sentimentally, but from a strategic point of view, if you want to understand why certain things happen & certain things don't. Pakistan is launching regular rockets into the safe havens of the TTP in Afghanistan, & they aren't getting shot down either. Does that mean the US/NATO Forces are weak? No one wants an open confrontation (neither the US, nor Pakistan) between the two nations. Things will continue to remain hostile between both the nations, but both will make sure that the 'glass does not shatter'. Even if the US cannot afford an open confrontation against Pakistan, Pakistan will make sure it does not appear to be siding with the militants against the US, as it will isolate Pakistan internationally.

The drone strikes mostly kill militants, Pakistan just needs to make sure that it stops the retaliatory attacks from the terrorists against the Pakistani state are reduced & minimized. The US is about to find out soon enough that their drone strikes program is proving detrimental in Afghanistan, as the spillover from North Waziristan will be felt hard in Eastern Afghanistan.
 
Kayani cannot control what the US does from Afghanistan. The US can also be labeled weak for not invading Pakistan after the OBL incident, or the attacks on the US embassy & the Rabbani murder. Don't look at these issues sentimentally, but from a strategic point of view, if you want to understand why certain things happen & certain things don't. Pakistan is launching regular rockets into the safe havens of the TTP in Afghanistan, & they aren't getting shot down either. Does that mean the US/NATO Forces are weak? No one wants an open confrontation (neither the US, nor Pakistan) between the two nations. Things will continue to remain hostile between both the nations, but both will make sure that the 'glass does not shatter'. Even if the US cannot afford an open confrontation against Pakistan, Pakistan will make sure it does not appear to be siding with the militants against the US, as it will isolate Pakistan internationally.

The drone strikes mostly kill militants, Pakistan just needs to make sure that it stops the retaliatory attacks from the terrorists against the Pakistani state are reduced & minimized. The US is about to find out soon enough that their drone strikes program is proving detrimental in Afghanistan, as the spillover from North Waziristan will be felt hard in Eastern Afghanistan.

That is why USA,INDIA, EUROPEAN COUNTRIES are investing and developing Afghanistan to tackle these problems...
We all know the resilience of Afghan people don't we!!!
 
US involve Pakistan since last 6 years into every mess created by US itself.

1st, Al-Qaida
2nd, Taliban
3rd Haqqani

Tomorrow US put pressure on Pakistan for every single person. This war is actually not war on terror. IMO this war start against Pakistan actually. When terrorist invading from Afghanistan into Pakistanwhat ISAF NATO US doing ? what Afghani Army doing ?

No Answer from so called super duper tech organizations especially US/NATO. US put this war into Pakistan ground. This is not actually US objective i agreed. Someone hold agenda inside US govt to destabilize/destroy Pakistan.
 
That is why USA,INDIA, EUROPEAN COUNTRIES are investing and developing Afghanistan to tackle these problems...

So is Pakistan, though I understand the Indian reluctance to acknowledge it ..

http://www.defence.pk/forums/strate...-investment-afghanistan-hits-500-million.html

---------- Post added at 04:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:31 PM ----------

Even if kayani wants do anything he can't do a jack against the us strikes

Oh indeed Kayani can do a lot more than 'jack' against US strikes, and, depending on US objectives in the region, there is 'Jack' the US can do militarily in response.

However, both sides are trying to avoid getting to a point of no return that would benefit neither side.
 
now the situation in pakistan is much in control... good work ISI
 
The US has been after Haqqani and Mullah Omar and Co. for how long now?

If they really are in Pakistan, and the ISI/PA really does not their location, then Kayani can certainly not be accused of caving in to American demands, since they have not been killed or handed over so far by Pakistan.

Anything short of not hitting the Americans back, strike for strike, Pakistani for American, is simply unacceptable.

Or at least try it and fail. Let's see him show the intent to defend Pakistan.
 
Kayani cannot control what the US does from Afghanistan. The US can also be labeled weak for not invading Pakistan after the OBL incident, or the attacks on the US embassy & the Rabbani murder. Don't look at these issues sentimentally, but from a strategic point of view, if you want to understand why certain things happen & certain things don't. Pakistan is launching regular rockets into the safe havens of the TTP in Afghanistan, & they aren't getting shot down either. Does that mean the US/NATO Forces are weak? No one wants an open confrontation (neither the US, nor Pakistan) between the two nations. Things will continue to remain hostile between both the nations, but both will make sure that the 'glass does not shatter'. Even if the US cannot afford an open confrontation against Pakistan, Pakistan will make sure it does not appear to be siding with the militants against the US, as it will isolate Pakistan internationally.

The drone strikes mostly kill militants, Pakistan just needs to make sure that it stops the retaliatory attacks from the terrorists against the Pakistani state are reduced & minimized. The US is about to find out soon enough that their drone strikes program is proving detrimental in Afghanistan, as the spillover from North Waziristan will be felt hard in Eastern Afghanistan.

There are different things between Pakistan and US regarding retaliatory attacks. US using drones or raids killing thousand Pakistanis/militants while Pakistan rocket launching killing thousands Afghans/militants in cross borders to anger Afghans people. The benefit is clearly to US.

No doubt, US will confront Pakistan harshly next year soon before Obama elections, OBL raid was a breakthrough and analysis the weaknessof Kiyani and the reactions. Let me give you example, he tend quickly to use hue and cry in the front of media, then the hot temperature goes down next few days, and in conclusion, Kiyani will accept demands from US pressures behind camera.

The drone attack mostly militants ??...........According to the report, "Since 2006, we've killed 14 senior Al Qaeda leaders using drone strikes; in the same time period, we've killed 700 Pakistani civilians in the same area. The drone strikes are highly unpopular. They are deeply aggravating to the population. And they've given rise to a feeling of anger that coalesces the population around the extremists and leads to spikes of extremism." Tell me how many civilians died compared to AQ leaders ?

Pakistan is in isolation today alone and already tarnish image of reputation in the media. i.e OBL raids, Mehran attacks, Faisal/Sameer, vice versa. Don't you see?

I still say, Kiyani must bring to the highest level of Supreme Court, he must face charge himself. Its duty require to defend Pakistan and serve Pakistan only. US Drones is now moving forward freely in North Wazirisitan contrary to Kiyani's public statements.
 
Well one good thing is that terror strikes have reduced hundred folds if not thousands. Pakistani authorities must remain zero tolerance against anyone against Pakistan or anyone supporting terrorism, keep cracking down on TTP & BLA terrorists & don't give them a break. Inshallah a peaceful 2012 with massive developments & economic uprise is coming.

@ thread starter, Miranshah is capital of North Waziristan & North Waziristan is in FATA not NWFP(KPK).
 
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