Pakistan was being Pressurized by the US and Afghanistan to launch a military operation against miscreants in the North Waziristan Agency (NWA), close to the Durand Line. Following 9/11 and US led NATO attack on Afghanistan, Taliban and Al-Qaeda had found a safe haven in the area. Pakistan was resisting the pressure to launch a fresh operation, since its Army's resources were overstretched following its successful operations against miscreants in Swat and South Waziristan. Indian threat at the Eastern Border and the Line of Control also necessitated the deployment of troops.
In 2013, the Government of Mian Nawaz Sharif tried to hold peace talks with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The talks failed since the TTP was only trying to gain time and organize its logistics. While a ceasefire for one month between the state of Pakistan and TTP was in place, before it ended, the TTP beheaded 23 soldiers of Pakistan Army and posted its video on February 17, 2014.
This enraged the Pakistan Army but worse was yet to come, on June 8, 2014, a heinous attack with automatic weapons, rocket launchers and suicide jackets was launched on the Jinnah Terminal of Karachi Airport. The attackers were from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and was a joint effort of TTP and IMU, as claimed by a TTP spokesman. 32 persons were killed and the lasted lasted for several hours before the assailants were eliminated.
This was the straw that broke the camel's back and a full fledged military operation was launched against the militant hideouts in NWA. Air Power was used massively before ground operations were launched. Two major retaliatory attacks were executed by the TTP. On November 2, 2014 a daring attack on Wagah checkpost was thwarted where thousands of people gather to witness the flag lowering ceremony by Pakistani and Indian troops. The suicide bomber was stopped at the gates where he blew himself up killing 55 persons. Had he penetrated the gates, the casualty figure would have been in thousands.
The second attack came about on December 16, 2014 when TTP besieged the Army Public School at Peshawar and brutally executed 142 persons including 132 innocent children and their lady principal. Audio recordings of conversations between Mullah Fazlullah, the leader of TTP and the attackers were obtained. Mullah Fazlullah is hiding in Afghanistan.
The government of Pakistan lifted the moratorium on capital punishment and the TTP militants languishing in Pakistan jails started being executed.
One year on, the Operation Zarb-e-Azb has inflicted heavy casualties on the militants but also exposed the role of India and its spy agency RAW, who have been supporting the TTP by providing sophisticated weapons, funds and training. Out of desperation, Indian leaders have upped the ante through belligerent challenges and bellicose statements against Pakistan.
Participants:
Vice Admiral Haroon
Brig. Tipu Sultan
Host: S. M. Hali