By Sarmad Ali Khan
In the contemporary world, terrorism has evolved as a global threat to the countries and humanity at large. Countries across the globe are devising comprehensive counter terrorism strategies for coping up with the deteriorated situation.
Pakistan has remained in limelight when it comes to counter-terrorism efforts home or abroad. Having stakes during Afghan Jihad, both the United States (U.S.) and Pakistan buttressed the Jihadis which led to the formation and strengthening of war lords and local plus foreign anti-state elements in tribal area of Pakistan near the Afghan border. During the Afghan War, as overall conditions were favorable, neither of the two states bothered about this dilemma. However, as soon as the 9/11 incident took place, they shifted their strategy towards Jihadis or the extremists in region.
Pakistan went in as a frontline ally owing to two major factors i.e. geographical proximity and intelligence sharing. Pakistan actively pursued and endorsed a strategy for dislodging the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in order to curtail its domino effect in Pakistan. Although, the decision was termed ‘bold’ by analyst considering the then conditions of Pakistan’s economy, security and politics but it proved to be a great measure to connect it to international community through offering services and land for global counter-terrorism operations launched against terrorists (Khattak and Mushtaq 2015).
Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy:
Dating back to the era of President Musharaff, Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy evolved right after the disastrous incident of 9/11 took place compelling Pakistan to jump in the ‘Global War Against Terror’. Quickly after the U.S.’ hot pursuit strategy and attack on Afghanistan, the militant groups linked with Taliban like Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and Al-Qaeda entered into the tribal areas of Pakistan.
For ensuring the writ of government, Pakistan mobilized its army for the first time since independence to counter non-conventional attacks launched by these groups in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in 2001. In the start, Pakistan army was unable to achieve much despite massive human and material losses and went for negotiations which were accomplished first but sabotaged by a U.S. drone strike. The drone strike accounted for strained relations between Pakistan Army and tribal locals deteriorating the situation which took form of a battle (Khattak and Mushtaq 2015).
Pakistan Military’s Operation Al-Mizan was aimed tracking, tracing and targeting militants hiding in South Waziristan Agency, in Musharraf’s era. The army claimed that they achieved the objectives and goals underlined in the operation. The operation lasted for four years (2002-2006) during which Pakistan Army killed and captured hundreds of local and transnational militants. The operation marked a tactical victory for the state as Musharraf’s strategy did not involve rehabilitation and restructuring of the locals that led towards socio-economic disparity and a sense of deprivation creating room for the militants to resurface which they did in 2007 with the name of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) involving local and foreign elements (Khattak and Mushtaq 2015).
Another effort by Pakistan’s Military was in the form of Operation Rah-e-Haq in Swat Valley of Khyber Pakhtun-Khwa (KPK) province. The operation was composed of three rounds aimed at destroying the safe havens of militants and dismantling all the stockpiles maintained by them, especially foreign militants. The third round of operation was driven by shoot at sight orders that led towards subduing of the situation through a peace accord i.e. ‘Malakand Agreement’ (Khalid and Roy 2016)
With the induction of a new wave of terrorist attacks in the country, Pakistan Military launched a new operation code-name ‘Operation Zalzala’ or ‘Operation Earthquake’. It was for the first time that 10,000 troops took part in the operation in tribal areas of Pakistan. The operation was aimed at clearing the South Waziristan area from the hold of tribal militants, especially Baitullah Mehsud and Abdullah Mehsud. The operation lasted five months i.e. from January 2008 to May 2008 in which most of the area was cleared by Pakistan Army (Khalid and Roy 2016) (Khattak and Mushtaq 2015).
Similarly, many other armed campaigns were done by the Pakistan Army during all these years like Operation Sirat-e-Mustaqeem 2008, Operation Sherdil 2008, Operation Rah-e-Rast 2009, Operation Rah-e-Nijat 2009-2010 and many more. Pakistan Army continued individual and coalition operations on a high tempo from 2008 – 2012 before slowing them down in 2013. The slow down corresponded with the newly trained Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) leading the operations on the Afghan side along-with the stop-go efforts in order to initiate peace talks with various Taliban groups on both sides (Spangler 2014) (Javed 2017).
The tragic incident of Army Public School Peshawar attack, in which more than 100 children lost their lives, gave structure to Operation Zarb-e-Azb revamping the counter-terrorism policy and providing a clearer direction to the already continuing efforts in 2014. Under the National Action Plan (NAP), special military courts and dedicated operations were set up for fast-track terrorism related trials for “jet black” terrorists under custody and killing of those on lose respectively. Through the NAP, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership came up with a twenty-point plan to eradicate terrorism from its roots in Pakistan without discrimination of any sort (Javed 2017).
Under Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts gained swift momentum owing to the fact that a national consensus and single-mindedness among all stakeholders was developed with key institutions standing at the back of it. Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) and combing operations were carried out in all four provinces for containing and digging the terrorists out from their roots stopping them from further spreading. Phenomenal gains by the Pakistan Army included seizure of 253 tons of explosive as well as the recovery of 7591 IEDs, 35310 mortar bombs and rockets plus 2841 land mines and suicide jackets (TimesofIslamabad 2016).
The two-year operation killed 3500 terrorists and about 992 of their sanctuaries were destroyed. However, about 490 troops lost their lives with another 2108 wounded. With the restoration of law and order, more than 65% of the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) returned to their native places. Under the NAP, a rehabilitation phase was also launched in FATA to build mosques, schools and markets. Moreover, a 700-kilometer-long road was also built in Waziristan including other infrastructure developments (TimesofIslamabad 2016)
Conclusion:
Pakistan has remained in the orbit of terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts from more than two decades in which Pakistan has lost over 9000 military personnel and almost 4000 civilian lives while on the economic sphere, it lost around $123 billion since the 9/11 incident. Being an active participant in War on Terror, the role of Pakistan Army in culminating terrorism is thoroughly admired by international community.
Currently, Pakistan Army is pursuing Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad in the country initiated by Pakistani military to support local law enforcement agencies in order to disarm and curb any and all hidden terrorist sleeper-cells across the country. Starting on 22nd February 2017, the operation is also directed at curbing extremism of all forms in the country. It was also initiated to consolidate the gains of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The operation also focuses on ensuring the security of all borders of Pakistan as well as the continuation of combing operations throughout the country with the induction of Broad Spectrum Security (Counter Terrorism) operations.
Pakistan’s military has evolved a lot by participating in the War on Terror. The country’s military has devised an array of strategies involving all patterns of techniques ranging from peace-talks to full-fledge military operations. Countries in the world facing the same conditions as Pakistan did in the past can benefit by replicating its strategies and developing the same capabilities as Pakistan developed. They can also work in close coordination with Pakistan military in the form of joint military drills and exchange of training programs to add to their skills. These countries must also develop strategic assets such as modern light and heavy artillery, sophisticated technology and above all a very strong intelligence network to gain control over situations more effectively.
(The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).