In defence of the army: The question of prisoners of war
An army fighting a war against terrorists cannot afford sensationalist media coverage that exploits public sentiments.
Militants usually do not comply with customs of war. They strike civilians and thus render themselves undeserving of traditional reprieve.
In the war on terror, the US government promptly refused to regard captured al Qaeda and Taliban militants as Prisoners of War and instead labelled them as ‘unlawful combatants’ at the very onset of the long-winding war on terror.
Historic precedent hints that ruthless terrorists are like pirates captured on the high-seas. David Neuendorf of the Indiana Journal-Press once contended that:
"Such people were subjected to military justice, administered by military commanders on the scene. That usually meant hanging from a yardarm. Today it could mean a firing squad."
In Pakistan, this is not an outrageous thought keeping in mind the terrorists ability to reorganise and strike another day.
So, how should captured militants in Pakistan be treated?
The question came up recently after a video showing a military firing-squad executing six men sparked uproar. The video obviously wasn’t filmed during a peacetime drill or inside a prisoner-of-war (POW) camp. Is it justified to doubt the army which has offered great sacrifices in battle and instead give militants the benefit of doubt, presuming militants captured by troops (following an ambush or fierce battle) as innocent civilians just because they wore plain shalwar kameez (with no ammunition vests)?
Who is a prisoner of war? According to Article 4 (A) (2) of the 3rd Geneva Convention ‘Relative to Treatment of Prisoners of War’ members of 'militias, volunteer corps and organised resistance movements' can only be accorded prisoners-of-war (POW) status if they fulfill four conditions. These can be interpreted as: a) Having a command structure, whereby commanders are directly responsible for actions/discipline of subordinates b) Having a distinctive uniform/insignia recognisable at a distance, to identify them as members of a particular militia/corps, so as not to conceal their identity c) Carrying their weapons openly, in order not to deceive d) Conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war |
Civil-military tug-of-war
Disturbingly, the army's tactics are judged on the battlefied by civilian standards which displays a lack of understanding of the intensity and nature of the conflict. Under the sway of a sensationalist media, the civilian segment of society has been overwhelmed by the idea of fighting militancy. The army now fights on - largely without the support of their nation.
Coming from simple urban lives, civilians cannot appreciate battlefield tactics. Despite the fact that thousands of lives have been lost at the hands of the terrorists, impressionable members of the public end up sympathising with militants.
At the beginning of the Operation Rah-e-Rast in 2009, news channels oblivious of ground realities continued airing footage of enemy casualties out of a pompous sense of impartiality. It wasn’t until flag-draped coffins began to arrive every day that the army/ISPR finally earned some airtime and the gullible nation eventually grasped the grim situation and chose a side.
Morality in the battlefield
Perhaps if a battle scene was played in slow motion, every shot causing the death of an enemy combatant would appear as an isolated act of brutal murder. An army fighting a war against terrorists cannot afford sensationalist media coverage that exploits naïve public sentiments, swaying popular opinion and leading to political and judicial actors overstepping their mandate and interfering in military matters, risking the security and morale of the troops in the process.
Variants of War
A ‘battlefield’ is commonly taken to mean territory falling between two opposing sides. The core difference between the war on terror and our nation’s earlier wars under black-outs, air-raid sirens and dog-fights wherein the public cheered bo-kaata, is that with the looming threat of attacks anywhere, anytime and no formal demarcation, the battle never ends for soldiers serving in volatile areas, who have seen countless comrades (as well as civilians) brutally killed at the hands of militants.
Under such ‘kill-or-get-killed’ circumstances and ceaseless engagement with militants who rely most on hit-run tactics, everyday is a battle and everywhere is the battlefield. Local army commanders entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the lives of their subordinates and ensuring the safety of other units/convoys have the right to decide when they must act on aggressive survival instinct to incapacitate militants apprehended during a battle, and when troops can enjoy peaceful partridge shoots.
COMMENTS (19)
There is nothing more valuable in life as 'Life' itself. Now this is something that needs to be kept in mind when u discuss or decide to shed light on topics of such sort. Its very easy to sit in the comforts of our home and comment on issues as critical as these. Trust me its a completely different perspective when u become a part of the ordeal. The question which comes to mind is , what exactly is it that pushes a man to march into the battlefield, a place where he may never return from, a place which might be responsible for him to see his family for the last time, to see his loved ones never again. Is it money? well if u think it is, than let me make an offer. Im willing to give you my car if anyone of u ladies or gentlemen chop off one meager finger of yours. What the heck lets make it easier. let the finger be your pinky. I mean whats the use of it anyways? hmmm? See u wont. It would just be insane to do so. Now what about the thousands of Offrs, JCOs and brave Jawans who are living this life on daily bases. The men who have decided to fight through the ordeal, to defend and succeed at whatever the cost maybe. What do u think keeps them bonded and determined. Its not the money, not fame, Nothing. Its patriotism, faith, motivation and comradeship. And nothing out of these is possible to achieve unless they have full support of their families, friends, commanders under which they fight, and most importantly their fellow country men. For it is primarily them who they are risking their lives to protect. Now what is the source that changes the minds and opinions of all these people (less commanders) who are not there first hand in the battlefield. It is one of the most important sources of all. It my friends is the 'media'. The media is the only source we have on which we can rely and make a perspective. It is what leads to us having opinions of the matters which are eating us everyday. It is therefore in my opinion one of the most important elements and thus also has the greatest of responsibilities. Unless the media matures and unless we develop enough thought process to stream line and filter everything we hear we will head to a point of no return, a dead end. It will not only confuse us, but will confuse all the men out there in the heat of battle. And trust me friends, u do not get second chances out here, Let me promise u that. Now coming to the topic of POWs and unlawful combatants, well trust me we have a very professional and humane army. The petty crimes which are being labeled are nothing compared to what actually goes on in other parts of the world. I agree with the fact that a life is a life, whether it is of a person in uniform (army, police. rangers ,FC..) or a civilian. But what we have to understand are the emotions attached. I bet many have u have been in lame street fights back in the days of college or school. when u get hit the first punch or kick, it is that point when u completely loose it. Its like a complete black out. All u want to do is hurt the other person. Now imagine the emotions that come into play when ur fellow men get killed in front of u. When they are pr furiously bleeding due to enemy activity and screaming at the top of their lungs for help. What are u expected to do at that very moment in time, a moment of sheer helplessness. What would be ur response? Would u take a moment and think about the Geneva convention. I'm afraid not if u think realistically ie. See my friends, its not that simple, not at all simple. Its bloody complex. This is the scenario which is home in the battlefield. Especially in places like Swat, Wana, Waziristan. Places where our men are fighting a continuous struggle with men who come in all different disguises. There have been times when they attack us dressed up in the same uniform as we do. Id like to conclude here by a request. A request to all my fellow Pakistanis. Please cut the men some slack. Things happen in the battlefield. Things happen in crappy situations like the ones we are going through here each day and each night. Lets just overlook them and put our full support behind these great brave men of ours. These men of honor. trust me they wont let us down if we just show them some blind support and trust. Pakistan Army Zindabad Pakistan Paindabad :)
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