BANNU bearing the brunt of Militants

Significance of  BANNU

                                                                      

                                                                          Dated: 18^th April 2012

Tarique Khan Javed

President,

Overseas Pakistani Investors Forum

Just 64km south of Miran Shah, the capital of North Waziristan, Bannu is a significant Military base and a major town of KP. It has a Museum and a good Public Library. It is located between Tochi and Khurram rivers, thus is a lush green plain at the foot of mountains of Waziristan. Bannusi tribe which inhabited the walled Town, are hospitable and organized. They choose to cooperate with Britishers and thus joined their service willingly. They have done well and now most of them are educated and employed in Government and Private services.

On the road to Kohat is located the modern face of Bannu in the form of a well planned Township, besides a number of Modern Educational institutions, jail and a Hospital. Two good quality bridges over Khurram River provide easy access to the North.

The Town has an organized Bus Terminal from where one can go to Miran Shah, Mir Ali, Thull, Tank, Kohat etc.

Next to the Bus terminal a good number of basic hotels can be found. The main market is located near by. It is quite substantial and busy. Next to the market is a large Military complex which also houses the Courts and Key Government Offices. After the Military complex road turns westwards towards North Waziristan. The road till it reaches the bridge on Tochi River, passes through well populated villages and green farms. Near the bridge is located a New Sabzi Mandi.

Cost of being a Frontline City:

TANK, BANNU, KOHAT and PESHAWAR are the cities bordering the seven Federally Administered Tribal Agencies or FATA. They are subject to maximum of bombing by Militants located in FATA. Retaliatory attacks on these centers continue even now while the reach of Militants have not remain the same as it was in say 2010, when Lahore was bombed so much that, Shahbaz Sharif  begged Taliban to spare Punjab.

Currently the Military action in Waziristan, Orakzia and Khyber Agency goes on. Army has dared and entered most forbidden Areas drawing the wreath of the Militants. A curfew was imposed on Miran Shah the capital of North Waziristan on 23^rd Jan 2012, and by now the AREA is well under control. Action both from Land and Air goes on in far flung areas. In Khyber Agency the Tirah Valley the base of Mangal Bagh has been taken and militants flushed out. The famed BARA in Darra Adam Khel has been overrun and killing on both sides continue. Rumor is that Mangal Bagh was killed in suicide bomb attack on 11^th March 2012.

Huge security loophole:

The current struggle in FATA is very significant move from Nation building point of view. The huge security gap which has existed in Pakistan since Independence due to lack of control over a large track of the Country, makes maintaining Law and order in the Country an impossible task. Any criminal can easily take refuge in FATA be treated like a VIP, if he is big killer or man of means. Our security forces feel helpless unable to go after the known criminals hiding in FATA. If FATA is included in Pakistan proper, Law and Order situation in the Country will improve many folds.

By now TANK, WANA, JANDOLA and RAZMAK cantonments are active again after remaining inactive since 1947. As part of a deal with Tribal Leaders, these bases were vacated. This gave the Tribal Leaders opportunity to do what ever they want; without any fear of PUNITIVE expeditions. When these bases were present during 1900 and 1947, Britishers were able to come out of these bases and attack revolting Tribes. However without such bases they made joke of Pakistani writ in their Area. In 2004, when our forces tried to enter these Areas they faced embracing defeats; when entire Platoons were kidnapped. Army withdrew on the promise of Tribes that they will eject foreigners from their Area. However this was just time buying tactics.

In 2010 finally “Rah e Najat” operation was launched and action started in earnest and after terrible loss of soldiers major peaks were captured. By now 90% of FATA is in our Army’s control. This has opened the AREA for trade and commerce.

BANNU has played a major role in this operation and also has bore the brunt of the Militants. It was attacked many times and the attacks go on even now as the Militants flee their hide out as our Forces reach their remote bases.

Attack on Bunnu Jail and Kabul:

The attack on the jail on 15^th April is testament of how much risk Bunnu poses due to it proximity with law less North Waziristan. From the point were the jail is located on Bunnu-Kohat road one can see the mountains of Waziristan. Between the road and the mountains some small settlements can be seen but largely the area is empty. Thus it was easy to attack the jail which far from the military bases in Bunnu. The location of main jail at this point I strategic mistake given that no protective parameter was established between the mountains and the Bunnu Township and the Jail.  

The attack on Kabul on the same date also highlights the point that all militants of North Waziristan have been forced to move north towards the Khurram and Orakzia Agency via Thull. Para Chinar located towards end of Khurram agency is the most Westerly location of Pakistan and is very close to Kabul. Previous attack by Haqqani Group was reportedly launched from this point and probably this time also.

What this indicate is that Militants from Orakzia, Khyber and North Waziristan are now holed up in a small areas of Northern most part of North Waziristan, the western point most point of Orakzia and Khyber agency and in Khurram Agency. This means that a concerted effort in this Area in and around Thull can eliminate the Militants for ever. Such opportunity never existed in the past. A collaborated action by Pakistan and NATO forces using all available resources including Air Force and Drone can eliminate the Militants and bring peace in the Region.

Sendimanian security system is recommended:

‘Sendimanian security system’ on the lines of Baluchistan can bring lasting peace and security in FATA and converse tribal values. While incorporating each FATA agency as District of KP, Rural Area’s administration and security should be left with Tribal Jirga while Main towns, population centers and roads should be declared A area under 100% control of KP with Police, Courts, Registry etc government  Pakistani Laws. The security of road should be responsibility of Tribes through which it is passing against payment of some money for Local Militia manning these roads. Any security lapse on behalf of a Tribe; to invite punitive action from main Military bases. This system is tried and tested since 1880s and meant that Britishers managed large Area of Baluchistan with minimum expense and efficiently. The system ensured prosperity of the people of Northern Baluchistan in particular which is 100% Pakhtun territory like FATA