Zarb-i-Azb: The 'War of Survival'
Multiple factors made the North Waziristan operation an inevitability for Pakistan.
Zahir Shah Sherazi
Published
July 14, 2014
A soldier stands in front of closed shops during a military operation in the town of Miramshah. — Photo by Reuters |
As we approach the 30-day mark since the start of Zarb-i-Azb, Dawn.com presents a run through of the reasons why it was deemed critical for the offensive to be launched in the restive North Waziristan Agency.
A recap of major factors that led to the operation is below.
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Comments (31) Closed
Moiz Omar
Jul 14, 2014 08:06pm
The terrorists need to be eliminated once and for all so peace may return to Pakistan.
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Agha Ata
Jul 14, 2014 08:30pm
Do you mean the war of survival of the leaders of militants?
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A. Mirza
Jul 14, 2014 08:40pm
Is this a Pakistani soldier? From head to toe he is in US combat gear including the M-16!
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Irfan Fatmi
Jul 14, 2014 09:30pm
@A. Mirza This is the new look of Pakistan Army in full combat gear. It has invested a lot in upgrading the uniforms & personal body armour of the troops, thus considerably reducing casualties. This army has really evolved over the last 8 years or so, it is better equipped, very well trained in close combat & urban warfare and battle hardened.
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Jawad U Rahman
Jul 14, 2014 09:46pm
Good to see a Pakistani soldier well equipped, in modern gear, and apparently well trained.
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An Indian91
Jul 14, 2014 09:51pm
No this is an american, not Pakistani
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Ahmed Abdullah
Jul 14, 2014 10:06pm
Looks American to me...
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rac
Jul 14, 2014 10:08pm
@A. Mirza
These standards are present in every type of military, and the SSG stays up to the bar
Besides hes wearing a camo pattern that the U.S doesnt use anymore
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Muz
Jul 14, 2014 10:13pm
@A. Mirza Does having US gear make him a US soldier?
He's a SSG soldier most probably dressed up for some PR as he was seen moving with some journalists in the videos.
And that's an M-4, standard issue for some SSG battalions.
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Usafkhan
Jul 14, 2014 11:02pm
@ A. Mirza....if u dont know plz dont comment. He is a member of SSG and they have better equipment. If having an American assault rifle means that he is American soldier then all Pak Army is Russian bcz they are using improved AK-47s
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waqar
Jul 14, 2014 11:04pm
good to see army equipped with proper gear!
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Amir
Jul 14, 2014 11:27pm
We need our old Pakistan back.
There was no problem at all before 1984.
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A. Mirza
Jul 14, 2014 11:49pm
@Usafkhan @Muz: I am comparing the Pakistani soldier to one of the best equipped military in the world so you should take it as a compliment. I really don't understand why Pakistani's get so defensive when the hear the world "America!" Please return our $2 billion that we send to you evry year that I contribute towards by paying taxes here in the US. And your leaders eat up!
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Asad
Jul 14, 2014 11:54pm
Pakistan has to take this war to the very end until all the terrorists are elimated. These terrorists are giving a bad name to the Muslim community all over the world.
I salute the Pakistan Army for taking a principal stand against the terrorists.
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Amer
Jul 15, 2014 12:13am
This is a Pakistani Commando
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Muz
Jul 15, 2014 12:29am
@A. Mirza It's not that mate. If that was meant as a compliment, then I apologize.
I've seen quite many people referring to this soldier as an "American operating in Waziristan" and "They've sold out the land to the Americans" so I made that comment. I'm pretty much pro-US.
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Ahmed
Jul 15, 2014 01:29am
Ms Mallala please visit IDPs and raise the women trafficking issues in Pakistan, dont waste your US paid time in these countries.
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Taj Ali
Jul 15, 2014 03:02am
Reading some of the comments, is it a Pakistani soldier or American? Can I make it clear to all the doubters that this is a Pakistani soldier, photo taken by our own Pakistani journalist not posted by Army. All the doubters either watch too many American movies
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SaeedS
Jul 15, 2014 03:47am
@A. Mirza Sorry Mr Mirza I apologize from all Pakistani. Also Pardon us if you find any mistake in our English. Those people got confuse because in our countries there a lot people name Mirza , may be they think you are from Pakistan too. Actually we don't know there are Americans name Mirza also. Please don't stop sending aids. Thank you and Jesus bless you.
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jg
Jul 15, 2014 04:42am
@A. Mirza Fyi, he is a SSG commando.special forces wear special gear lest you think army has made no progress into 21st century.
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khan
Jul 15, 2014 04:50am
Whoever that guy in uniform is we salute him and wish him all the best. Our enemies are already fearful of him and millions like him. We are a proud nation and will Inshallah force all of our enemies back into their holes.
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Sonny Afridi
Jul 15, 2014 04:50am
@A. Mirza
that is not an M16 and that is not all "American gear"
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Sonny Afridi
Jul 15, 2014 04:52am
@An Indian91
Are you serious dude? This is a Pak Army soldier. Does he look American to you? Use your head.
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Sonny Afridi
Jul 15, 2014 04:53am
@Usafkhan
Not merely AKs but locally produced MG-3s, FN Herstal Bullpup assault SMGs, PK-10s (AK variant), SMG MP-5Ks, list goes on.
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Saleem Khan
Jul 15, 2014 04:59am
The world most power full army we have. Saute to my Armed Forces.
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Abdulaziz
Jul 15, 2014 06:33am
These terrorists(Talbans) are shame for islam and for our beloved country. I slute our soldiers who are doing a great job . Inshallah these so called muslims will be eliminated from Pakistan territories.No dought that it is war for survival of pakistan.There is no single reason for final push.Every pakistani was waiting for this.
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Khan T
Jul 15, 2014 07:11am
@ A.Mirza:
Your 2 billion $ that you pay in Damages and Fees for using our Infrastructure for your forces in Afghanistan are not being paid by your tax money. in fact US govt cannot rely on your tax money. High School maths for you.
"The U.S. Government's total revenue is estimated to be $3.337 trillion for Fiscal Year 2015. If this estimate is correct, that will be the highest ever received by the U.S. government. It's more than was collected in the first 180 years of our country's history. It's also more than the entire economic output of Germany -- or any other country in the world except China, India and Japan. However, it's less than 20% of the U.S. economic output. Unfortunately, that means it's also less than 20% of the U.S. debt."
Yup Debt... That is the word for you. You have to pay back 80% of your GDP to the rest of the world.. You as a proud American tax payer still need to pay back 1.1 Million USD to the rest of the world.(http://www.forbes.com/sites/othercomments/2013/10/30/u-s-national-debt-1-1-million-per-taxpayer/).
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Irfan
Jul 15, 2014 08:32am
Where are TTP (the infamous Fazlullah, Shahid ullah shaid group) in this whole episode? We hear about Hafiz Gul Bahadur, Haqqanis and foreign militants but what about these guys?
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OZ_ali
Jul 15, 2014 09:04am
@A. Mirza your 2 billion dollars.. get a life mate, you guys are getting the services for that.
how old are you by the way :P
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Salim Khan
Jul 15, 2014 01:06pm
Does any body Know exact or estimated figures of how many civilian causalities we have for this operation
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Munawar
Jul 15, 2014 11:26pm
I can't believe no one noticed that it looks like they carpet bombed the entire place. Look at that bazar with the tank coming through!!!
I am all for the operation, but not like this...
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