A former chief military spokesperson said on Monday that the decision to launch an operation against extremists holed up in North Waziristan Agency was taken three years ago, but the then army chief delayed action.
“The army brass had decided in principle that preparations will be completed from 2010 to 2011 for an operation in North Waziristan which will kick off the same year,” Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas, the former director general of ISPR, told the BBC in an interview.
However, he added that the then army chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, was reluctant to give the nod for the operation. Abbas answered in the affirmative when asked if delaying the operation was a personal decision of Gen Kayani.
“Gen Kayani thought he would be held accountable for sending troops into North Waziristan. And that is why he dilly-dallied on the operation due to which we wasted too much time and suffered losses,” he added. “The country, its people, the government and the armed forces had to pay a heavy price for Gen Kayani’s hesitance.”
The delay in deployment, however, helped extremists strengthen their foothold, recruit more fighters, raise more resources and develop a network, “I think things have become quite complicated there [in North Waziristan],” Abbas said.
The decision to launch a military operation was taken on the basis of opinion of the military commanders stationed there and intelligence reports coming from the agency.
“The military on the ground was unanimous that extremists of all hues were holed up in the region, and without an operation in the area peace could not be restored in the country,” he added.
Initially, the army brass was divided on launching a full scale offensive. There were several reasons for the difference of opinion including on how to handle the Haqqani Network and the issue of IDPs. There was a general perception that the IDPs from the 2009 Swat operation were not taken good care of, he added. “These issues delayed the operation in North Waziristan.”
Abbas said the Unted States also created difficulties in launching the Waziristan operation. “Each day America would issue a statement suggesting that Washington was building pressure on the Pakistan Army for an operation in North Waziristan,” he added.
The Americans had been told umpteen times that such statements were counterproductive. “We were finding it more difficult to decide on deploying troops as it would have given an impression that it was done under the US pressure,” he added.
The former military spokesperson said the situation in North Waziristan was not different from what it was in 2010. “In my opinion action should have been taken in 2011. We wasted too much time which created more problems.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2014.
COMMENTS (55)
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it is surprising that such like comments passed by a former general about his ex boss;quite unheard off in pakistan military traditions.ISPR is a non combat entity and as such may not have complete picture of the situation Having been prepared for military operation does not dictate to initiate one .Decision to wage a war is not the sole right of a military commander alone and require numerous inputs.Gens remarks can best be labeled as personal and immature.
It is against ethics to publish the news without taking the count of the former COAS the reporter must have contacted him.
This such a shame when major position holder like him blames then army chief. There is something called professionalness.
Mr Athar Abbas did the right thing by disclosing to the public regarding who was delaying the much needed operation. Regarding his loyalty to the army, he is a Pakistani first and was a general later, that too is a public servant. Full marks to Mr Abbas.
If Army can disown Kayani for delaying the current operation and considers it an individual's act why can't it let Musharraf's trial proceed as per law?
@Usman: Army is not some School or University or some Open Source project that you will discuss everything in Public.
In my opinion, statements of Athar Abbas shall surprise army and govt. equally. And also embarrass govt.. It proves that army decides about operations, not government.
@Arshad: "m actually surprised!! trying to figure out why ex DG ISPR needed to say all this? Isn’t it against the discipline that a subordinate criticising in public the decision of the commander in chief?"
The integrity of the military has been questioned. So, who should face the firing squad? The General or the spin doctor for spilling the beans. Something has to be done, the cat is already out of the bag.
If the current Army is disowning Kayani, (for whatever reason, including for his extensions, which caused the denial of promotions to top Generals), and treating his policies as an act of an individual and not representing the institution, similarly why can't it disown Musharraf's subversion of the State and the Constitution in 2007 as an act of an individual and not that of an individual and let law take its own course without any interference?
@Zaid Hamid Lal Topi Wala.: Fully agree with your comment. Some comments posted by me were not blocked by the learned ET moderators which I never expected to be published but some well meant comments do not find their favour. ET please reconcile the moderation policy at your end.
@Ahmed: Agree with you 100%. They let post most nonsensical comment but censor those which make sense or debate. Some low IQ/low educated moderator are on payroll in ET. They always post comment when you complaint about censorship.
Due to reluctant Kayani we suffered so many civil and military casualties. Pakistan Army men and officers, retired and serving should disassociate themselves from Kayani due to this shame brought to Army and to Nation.
m actually surprised!! trying to figure out why ex DG ISPR needed to say all this? Isn't it against the discipline that a subordinate criticising in public the decision of the commander in chief? Really confused what this is all about? Is it some kind of revenge from Gen Kiyani for not being traditional adventurist or is he trying to butter Gen. Shareef for ultimately luanching this offensive???
@JH:
JH you are most welcome.....our pleasure to "enlighten' you
Such enlightened comments from everyone. Well done all.
Brave Gen Kiyani's words that US will think ten times before entering Pakistan were so true.. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Gen Kiyani as a matter of fact thought endlessly about North Waziristan...he only thought did nothing.
Somehow I have a feeling that Sharif brothers are again using the journalist community to give such statements at this time when IK is mounting pressure on them. I believe Athar's statement is Anti IK and has nothing to do with Army. Azhar Abbas, Athar Abbas and Mazhar Abbas. {Conspiracy Theory}
General kayani was a local officer most army officers almost 90% migrated from India have no interest with local people they just want to get promotions and make money.
What is the purpose of giving such statements when operation is going on against terrorists? All political and army brass should avoid giving such statements.
Gen Musharraf used to rub shoulders with Bush... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So Kiyani wanted to rub shoulders at least with Kerry..... why soil ones hands with ammunition when one can discuss geo politics in exotic locations?
General Kiyani's shortcomings were obvious to everyone however if this all about him was uttered by a civilian he would have been promptly labeled as "traitor" and might have been abducted, tortured and killed. Now what would the "patriotic" organizations and people would do about retired general abbas ???
@zaida P superbly written....
This just strengthens the case to bring military under parliamentary oversight so there's less scope for reckless decisions by a single person...
@ET! Go check this story on Dawn.com and comments there, close to 100 when I checked last!
Why do you only have 10? I am sure there are dozens of people commenting on this story but your moderators want to censor everything and will only allow politically correct sounding comments or those that reflect your policy(?)
Where is freedom of speech? Why my comments in which Kayani's failure over the OBL raid, the Salala incident and other attacks on army/civilian assets were mentioned, not published?
Your comments section is overly moderated and does not allow freedom of speech or even any debate, factual information that the readers may want to contribute from appearing on these forums.
You should just close it down because it is useless anyway.
I would like to defend Kiyani here, the very reason he did not rush into battle justifies him rightfully being at the helm of command. The lower generals have a habit of overestimating themselves, and being overconfident, when they don't have a reasonably complete view of the picture. Kiyani appeared to be much smarter than his predecessor, and the difference between a brave and stupid commander is that the former understands the cost and complexity of the situation before jumping into hot waters. Unfortunately, Pakistanis are "inspired" by belligerence and stupidity, mistaking it with courage.
“Gen Kayani thought he would be held accountable for sending troops into North Waziristan. " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And now he must be held accountable for not sending troops into North Waziristan.
"We wasted too much time which created more problems.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Story of Pakistan since birth.
@Chachoo: Yes, they do discuss each other's decisions and performance in public. It's nothing new, or out of the ordinary.
Governments belong to the people. So does government's institutions. All their decisions should be in the public domain as long as the information does not jeopardize lives and national security. Kudos to General Athar Abbas to make this information public. On another note, isn't it interesting that Bhutto chose Ziaul Huq who hanged his benefactor, Nawaz Sharif chose Musharraf who toppled him, and Musharraf chose Kayani who proved to be a do-nothing passive Army Chief. Speaks volumes about efficacy of appointments on merits and not for personal aggrandizement.
A case study of how Zardari and Kayani together wasted time on worthless elements like some letter/memo and ignored the burning issues facing the country. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A country gets the leadership it deserves.
"Lack of Collective Leadership" is the reason we face these problems. One Chief creates Mujahideen and other turns them into terrorists.
“The country, its people, the government and the armed forces had to pay a heavy price for Gen Kayani’s hesitance.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Is the room next to Musharraf still available?
"The former military spokesperson said the situation in North Waziristan was not different from what it was in 2010" "The delay in deployment, however, helped extremists strengthen their foothold, recruit more fighters, raise more resources and develop a network, " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Quotes from the above article.So the situation was 'not different 'or had worsened? scratching my head. "
Any chance of taking Kiyani to account over what he did not do?
All that Kayani did was blackmail the civilian government to get his unprecedented 3 year extension. Civilian government had no choice. I believe that PPP wanted military action on TTP and other terrorists. However, they all knew that if they push Kayani for military action on the terrorists, he would launch a military action on the civilian government. Kayani getting the extension has disappointed and frustrated many generals who had worked all their life to get the top slot in the army. They were denied the opportunity even to compete for this post and those who reached retirement age retired. A selfish person like Kayani cannot care much for the country or even for his own Army. This is the reason Gen. Abbas is speaking out now.
"Kayani delayed the operation: Athar Abbas" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Imcorrect Headlines. Since Kayani never conducted the operation he cancelled the operation.
I am wondering why the whistle blower is escaping court martial.
Well Done ET!.....This article is a sanitized version of the original version ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ http://tribune.com.pk/story/729162/kayani-was-reluctant-to-launch-n-waziristan-operation-three-years-ago/. The effect of Geo is running deep.
@Parvez Amin: Definitely right. Kayani was a professional soldier, he knew better.
@Not right: And, the blowback and attendant mayhem, could have become the cause of Zardari losing his grip on power.
Without a nod from the higher ups, was it possible for Athar Abbas to divulge a sensitive secret?
At least in public, the army should show unity. Backstabbing should be left to politicians.
The demarche by the Americans that no aid will be provided until NW is cleaned up is the ONLY reason this operation is being conducted. Given the state of the economy, there is no way even the wages can be paid if the Americans don't help out. As for the Chinese, the less said the better. All they give are words like: "sweeter than honey", "higher than mountains", "all weather friendship" etc etc.
The current leadership must cleared this statement or Abbas would have been a subject of court martial.
ET why have you not interviewed Kayani and given his side of the story?
@Chachoo: Yes, spot on: "...Would it be based on personal reasons or whatever but i expect more professionalism next time..."
@george: Actually, Zardari was fearful of the blowback.
Kayani's inaction is costing Pakistan heavily.
Kayani is coward and he did not even back his former boss Musharraf for doing the right thing
Kayani was a coward and lacked the spine to protect people who paid his salary while starving themselves, he and his family and his friends should be ashamed of themselves!
Good to see such discourse within the army , even though are not known for encouraging discourse or critical thinking
Better late than never... Glad we're routing them out now...
In Professional Armed forces around the world no Officer will disclose any Official information of any meeting during his tenure. Major General Athar Abbas should be more professional next time. Will you expect any American general disclosing any information of the meeting after the retirement?. Would it be based on personal reasons or whatever but i expect more professionalism next time.