The Taliban, it seems, do not seem to be short of ideas to place under further pressure a state that is already reeling under their onslaught. Because of the threat they pose, citizens must do without mobile phones, Shia religious processions can only take place in an environment of fear and a sense of terror lurks everywhere. Their latest tactic involves kidnapping military personnel, and thereby demonstrating just how audaciously they are able to act.
On January 2, armed militants, reportedly wearing military uniform, abducted seven soldiers near Jand in Punjab. Military officials have confirmed the incident, which comes just a few days after 22 personnel of the Levies Force were kidnapped check posts on the outskirts of Peshawar. They were killed a short while later after negotiations for their release broke down. It is assumed the talks, from the Taliban side may have focused on the release of the hostages or ransom demands. The Jand incident follows a similar pattern. The soldiers taken hostage were on their way from Rawalpindi to stations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa when they were kidnapped. It is assumed a demand of some kind will now be made though its nature is hard to predict.
What is clear is that the Taliban are expanding their range of operations. Jand is not an area they have been known to operate in before. It also seems that the militants are familiar with military movements, and their attacks meticulously staged. The use of military uniform is reminiscent of similar actions in the past, with the garments obviously realistic enough to fool real soldiers. Control over Pakistan seems to be slipping into the hands of the Taliban — with no apparent ability to prevent this. If the military cannot guard itself, it is unclear how it can be expected to protect the civilian population or rein in a force that seems to be operating at will and quite rapidly expanding operations to parts of the country where it previously appeared to have little ability to act.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (10)
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@Ahmed:
we are in pakistan!!!!!!
@andy fr dc: do u think OBL was killed in Abbottabad????, why he was secretly buried in the sea ???, i know Americans they leave no stone unturn to prove that they are victorious so why they disposed off the trophy so secretly????
Suppose the taliban take over Pakistan, do they have any idea how they will implement their version of Shariah all over the country ?
As they did in KABUL ???
@Abid: the British succeeded since they did not distinguish between "good" and "bad" terrorists!
"The use of military uniform is reminiscent of similar actions in the past, with the garments obviously realistic enough to fool real soldiers." They're doubtfully "realistic." They're more likely to be the actual official uniform straight from a soldier's body. Ones they captured and later beheaded, keeping the uniform relatively in good shape showing no signs of any battle fought.
The Taliban is an extension of the Pak army. If you actually want to fight the Taliban then replace the existing Generals with officers who do not actively support the terrorists. Or did you think OBL was in an ISI safe house by accident ?
@Aviator: "And still the political parties are considering a peace deal with the Taliban? Why?" . The negotiators can inform the Taliban that "Islam means peace", in case they haven't heard it.
And still the political parties are considering a peace deal with the Taliban? Why?
COAS chaired CC meetings last week and they also change their 11 years operational tactics according to current situation of battle field of Pakistan. TTP use army uniforms every where like in Kohistan where they stopped public loaded buses, Bus drivers also obeyed their instructions because all militants were in uniform but after few seconds they brutally killed 19 Shia passengers after identification through thier CNICs.
it's a fact ...this article is true..but i dont think pak army has devised a strategy to deal with them..best thing would be study the british method during British rule which was to use millitary operations along with economic sanctions mandatory against mehsud and Wazir Tribes. Today similar strategy should be adopted.effective millitary operations , banning Mehsuds travelling in rest of pakistan without the Id card that is fully certfied and verified by the SHO of local thana. Complete mobile black out in Waziristan,cancellation of mobile sim of mehsuds,wazir tribes,closure of bank accounts of all Mehsuds and Wazirs and in the meantime talks coupled with millitary strikes meant to inflict heavy damage can only solve this Issue.Most of the people say only Talks are the solution ..I dont think they have studied British method used by British administrators have been studied which was successful that time. People must study the British method used during 1920-1935.