Letters to the Editor

I am grateful to A. H. Amin, PAVO Cavalry, for having carefully read my article “Lost Opportunity – A Military Analysis-1971” and offered his comments with weighty arguments in his letter of March 25, 2003 to the Editor DJ. Some of his comments are plausible and do not need any discussion. However, some of his comments require clarification by me. I humbly submit that my clarification should not be considered antagonistic or an attempt to belittle the knowledge and wisdom of the learned writer of the letter.

a. Once again it is submitted that I have mentioned for launching “counter offensive” and NOT pre-emptive attack. As far as my knowledge goes “counter offensive” is launched after enemy attack.

b. East Pakistan was attacked on 21 November 71 and information in advance had been received by GHQ. Under the situation the most suitable time for launching “counter offensive” was soon after 21 November but not later than 25 November because by then the enemy forces (about 34 brigades + about 4 tank regiments + 50 artillery regiments + 10 air force squadron) deployed against East Pakistan had been fully involved in fighting.

c. During October 71, on an inkling of pre-emptive attack by Pakistan on the western front, if not the whole, at least 75% of the forces (20 battalions + 2 1/2 tank regiments + 35 artillery regiments + 7 air force squadron) being assembled for deployment against East Pakistan would have been diverted to the western front by air, rail and road. The air force would have reached within hours.

d. In Pakistan during October 71, some new formations and units were being raised, armed and trained. Was Pakistan ready to launch a pre-emptive attack and face the full might of the Indian armed forces?

e. The learned writer of the letter has quoted from the book of Lt Gen Candeth, who was the Commander of the western Command, that the most critical period was between 08 October and 26 October 71 – Had Pakistan put in a pre-emptive attack during the period, the consequences would have been too dreadful ______. Candeth’s presumption, perhaps, was based on all the relevant factors known to him. Was the Indian high command headed by a naive or nitwit who had not catered for in his strategic plans for counter action against a possible Pakistan pre-emptive attack during October 71, on the western front? About Lt Gen Candeth, the strategist wizard, I quote a few lines from the book of Maj Gen Sukhwant Singh, “ – suddenly flowered after independence. – His subsequent rise in the Army may be attributed to his being non-controversial and perhaps more pliable than more deserving contemporaries – what paid him most however, was his friendship with Gen Kumaramangalam. As Kumaramangalam rose, he took Candeth up with him in preference to those with greater merit but not of his coterie, —- He had very little war experience and displayed a slow, deliberate and rather cautious approach to military problems. Candeth and his generals came out the worst from this (December 71) conflict.”

a. As regards the area of attack the axis of counter offensive mentioned in the article is purely my deduction of the terrain, location of vital communication centres, towns of political importance, relative strength and time and space factor. The corridor between the Ravi-Sutlej was also important economically. Therefore, it was strategically, politically and economically the most important area, as such the centre of gravity. By capturing a big chunk of Indian territory of strategical, political and economic importance Pakistan would have forced an early ceasefire in East Pakistan on advantageous terms and thus saved from the decisive defeat, surrendering of about 65,000 soldiers and above all the secession of East Pakistan.

b. The location of our 1st Armoured Division and 7th Division in Minchenabad-Bahawalnagar, perhaps, was a deception plan because Muktsar and the nearby towns were not strategically important, although Bhatinda was a vital communication centre linking Farid Kot-Kot Kapura-FerozePore but it was about 180 KM from Bahawalnagar. Also the counter offensive force had to cross the River Sutlej (In 1971 there was no bridge over it linking Sahiwal-Arifwala-Bahawalnagar. During winter a boat bridge was available) and some canals. The L of C of the counter offensive force would have lengthened and become cumbersome for logistic support because our main depots, supply and training centres were located at least 200 KM (Multan and Lahore) and 400 KM (Rawalpindi). It would not have been possible to divert the depth brigades and units from any holding division as Kasur and Lahore were 200 KM, Sialkot and Azad Kashmir area over 300 to 400 KM. Movements during daytime would have been exposed to enemy air attacks and hazardous even during night. However, a diversionary effort (one brigade group + R and S company + tank regiment) should have been launched to involve the enemy holding force and draw the enemy reserve force.

The learned writer of the letter will agree that before the induction of some units and sub-units of Pakistan Army, in bits and pieces, majority of the areas mentioned by him were occupied and some recaptured by the Indians with overwhelming strength and fire and air support. The Mujahideens had fought with desperate courage and denied the Indians any decisive success. Perforce, between May 48 and November 48 a few Pakistani formations, units and sub-units were sent into Kashmir to help the Mujahideens. Even during this period the Mujahideens and Pakistan Army in relative strength were no match and as such could not defend/occupy every bit of the territory, Sir, inspite of repeated offensive action the Indians had failed to recapture the Northern area (Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu etc), Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Hajira, Nikial, Kotli, Golapure, Bhimber, Mirpur etc. We are grateful to those Mujahideens and troops of Pakistan Army who have provided strategic depth to Pakistan otherwise the Indians would have been sitting opposite Abbottabad, Murree, Kahuta, Jhelum and Gujrat.

Sir, space does not allow me to narrate the details of the actions of the Mujahideens and Pakistan Army units otherwise I would have quoted long paragraphs from various relevant books, including of the Indian writers. Also the theories of Clausewitz can be discussed in some other issue of the DJ.

I agree during 1971 a Napoleon or a Frederick would have saved the dismemberment of Pakistan. As a humble student of history I would have mentioned the names of Khalid bin Waleed and contemporary heroes, Tariq bin Ziad, Mohammad bin Qasim, Babar and Mustafa Kamal and of course Mohammad Ali Jinnah Quaid-e-Azam.

I wrote a short note which was published a short while back on the emerging threat poised by the relentless military buildup by the neighbour to the East.

It appears the said threat has increased by a noticeable margin by the announcement in the Israeli press this evening (and echoed in Indian mass media) that the Phalcon AWACS has been cleared by the US for induction by India. The reports indicate that 3 such systems mounted on Russian IL 76 platforms will be inducted very soon.

This AWACS induction by India will be a quantum leap forward in capability and not to mention strategic and tactical options available to the IAF. The Phalcon system is vastly superior to the Russian ‘Beriev’ A 50 platform that was leased to and operated by the IAF in the recent past. The implications for the Pakistan Air Force and strategic defence cannot be ignored.

This development comes closely on the heels of the SU 30mki induction, the inflight refuelling IL 78 induction and the many other projects which are currently underway in the East. The threat to PAF capability and ability to withstand any aerial onslaught is very serious and is aggravated by the qualitative and quantitative advantages enjoyed by India. This imbalance will inevitably grow and result in the temptation to use military force to resolve any outstanding issues and this is something that Pakistan must be aware of and guard against. It is also apparent that the Indians are engaged in a concerted effort to neutralize any advantage thus far enjoyed by Pakistan eg the induction of artillery counter battery radars, advanced communication systems, the use of IT etc. In short India has shown the ability and willingness to learn the lessons of recent conflict and apply those lessons effectively and this is a concern for Pakistan as the Indians have also shown that a strong economy is the foundation for a strong and capable defence posture.

The disparity in capability and technology is becoming too evident to be glossed over and as an example I recall that the 30odd F16s’ operated by the PAF are over 15 years old and although they are maintained and operated well, the fact remains that the PAF does not have any significant Beyond Visual Range Missile capability and the recent induction of Su 30mkis’ and the upgrade in numbers and quality of the Mirage 2000 and MiG 29 fleet across the border has severely eroded PAF’s ability to win and maintain air superiority. The facts suggest that the IAF may well enjoy local and strategic air supremacy within days of any outbreak of hostilities. The PAF induction of Chinese F 7’s and the ROSE mirage upgrade is largely inconsequential as any advantage in capability gained is being negated by the steady induction of more advanced assets and upgrading of existing assets by India. I am sure any credible defence analyst will agree that the IAF has increased its potency manifold in the last 10 years whilst the PAF has remained relatively static.

This disparity in capability can no longer be safely ignored and the PAF must move to induct new and more advanced technology something which at present the PR of China the only reliable friend and supplier to Pakistan is unable to provide. Thus the onus is on the Pakistan Government to engage in diplomacy, yield and bend where possible to achieve what is required. The Indians have used the recent peace overtures to telling effect and this is most apparent in the manner in which technology and other dual use items are no longer withheld by the US and the West.

I would be most pleased to hear from any Pakistani author as to what are the options available to Pakistan in the face of these threats. I am sure that high motivation, courage and application is not lacking within the Pakistan Defence establishment but is it being set up for failure or success?

In a letter to editor, Mr. Jafri pointed out an important concern regarding hollow rhetoric by the minister of information. Despite the fact, whatever Pakistan’s nuclear policy is with the reference to India or in general.

Statements should be carefully devised with an absolute calculation of the impact as if it has to happen in reality.

Any premise of a statement or the argument with a variable is a window for the negotiation by others. Which I think Mr. Information Minister doesn’t have the ability to close it.

“Our flamboyant Information Minister Sheikh Rashid while playing for the gallery has unwittingly also played into the hands of Mr Sinha”.

“He is advised to avoid such hollow rhetoric and display much more sober and responsible attitude as was done by the PM Jamali by his firm and stolid response”.

“ Unrealistic assessment of war especially with regard to his statement where he has compared Saddam Hussein with Salah-u-Din Ayubi”

I would like to comprehend the reasoning behind Mr. Gul’s comparison of Saddam with Salah-u-Din Ayubi. Is it based on emotions or his experience in leading the intelligence outfit? Somehow his previous assessment during US war with Taliban didn’t hold it either.

Sometime ago, Mr. Hamid Gul, was pushing for the soft revolution in Pakistan, with the cooperation of Sajjad Ali Shah. I am wondering if he thinks himself a mirror image of Salah-u-Din Ayubi!!

I very much enjoy reading your magazine especially your May issue. I especially liked reading Lt Col (Retd) Mukhtar Ahmad’s article. I have read extensively on Muslim battles and one of my favourite books is “Landmarks of Jihad” by Lt Col M M Qureishi.

If you could forward my email to him I would like to continue to correspond with him.

Also a technology section should be added where a technology editor can talk about local technology, the technology of the region and also innovations around the world.

The article in ‘Defence Journal’ – May 2003 titled ‘Rethinking the National Security of Pakistan’ by Mr Ahmad Faruqui does have many valid points but there are many inferences that suggest it might as well be a ‘psy-ops’ piece by Mossad, CIA, RAW, etc.

Yes, Pakistan is a ‘garrison state’ with an enormous military and undue economic pressure relating to this. You don’t mention that Israel is a garrison state and to some extent the USA and Russia have an extensive military that drains their economies that takes away money from social/welfare programmes. It is false to infer the model of Japanese growth is worthy to follow (which holds one of the largest foreign US bases ie, Kadena, Okinawa, etc) and hence preferential economic treatment from the USA for the last 50 years (even to the detriment of hollowing out domestic US manufacturing, eg car industry).

There are many Pak academics residing abroad who seem to know what’s best for their homeland and they often don’t understand that the institutes/programmes they work for are part of US think-tanks/policy groups that pursue US hegemonic designs!

You are right Pakistan needs to change but not for the insidious plans of foreign powers – ‘The Great Game’ lives on!

From: “Riaz Jafri” <jafri@rifiela.com>
To: “Ikram Sehgal” <defjrnl@pathfinder.com.pk>
Subject: Letter to Editpr - Democrats at Best 29 May 03
Date: Thursday, May 29, 2003 12:48 PM

Dear Ikram Sehgal

Musharraf’s Uniform

MMA’s insistence on Musharraf’s turning in his tunic is creating an impasse in the political process of the country. I have a suggestion to make in this regards and I am serious about it. Let the government make Musharraf a Field Marshal. Field Marshals do not retire and remain on the active list of the army for life. We have a precedence for it too. In fact the quantum of the present day forces is more than that of in F.M. Ayub’s time and creating of such an appointment will be fully justified. Musharraf could then relinquish the post of the COAS also and yet command the respect of the defence forces. It will also provide MMA with an honourable face saving for rescinding from its such a demand.

Truly

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
30, Westridge-1,
Rawalpindi
Tel: (051) 546 3344
e.mail: Jafri@rifiela.com

From: <Taji11@aol.com>
To: <defjrnl@pathfinder.com.pk>
Subject: Letters To The Editor
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2003 9:25 PM

Sir,

I came across an issue of The Defence Journal on a recent trip to Pakistan and it quickly grabbed my attention. I was expecting boring and run of the mill writing but instead found it very refreshing and bold. You are to be commended for this timely and epoch-breaking venture.

I found the interview of retired officers the most interesting and eye opening feature specially where it involved senior officers. You are requested to have such an interview in every issue.

One suggestion that I have is to improve the quality of the writing in terms of grammar etc.

Most truly,

Major (R) Mumtaz A Malik
Virginia, USA

From: “David L. YARKONY” <yarkonyl@bezeqint.net>
To: <letters@dawn.com>
Subject: Phalcons sale to be part of agenda: Bush-Musharraf meeting
Date: Monday, June 02, 2003 12:49 AM

Gentlemen,

You have nobody to blame but yourself. After the “Green Archer” here comes now the “Phalcon”.

By blindly supporting the Palestinians, you left the Fields of Eton to a sole player – India

How about looking for the Pakistani interest in the 21st Century and establishing diplomatic and economical relations with Israel?

Believe me, you have more to gain than lose.

Sincerely

David L. Yarkony
yarkonyl@bezeqint.net

From: “Shazia Saleemi” <shaziasaleemi@mail.com>
To: <defjrnl@pathfinder.com.pk>
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 4:44 AM
Subject: Okara & Multan – A Petition to the COAS

Dear Sir,

Here follows the exact copy of our letter to General Musharraf despatched to him last week by ordinary post. If required, I can fax you the page carrying all signatures.

Now we want to ask you, what more can we do from here? Can you kindly provide us “insider information” about the best possible way to convey our disapproval to those who really matter.

One more thing, do you know who took over from General Jamshed G Kyani as the Adjutant General of Pak Army?

Allah Hafiz

Shazia Saleemi
Stockholm, Sweden

General Pervez Musharraf
Chief of the Army Staff
President Office
Islamabad
Pyara Pakistan
Dated: 2003-05-27

Dear Sir,

With reference to the appended news reports, retrieved from the online edition of a mainstream national newspaper highly regarded for its objectivity and unbiased journalism, we, the signatories of this petition, write to express our utmost disgust, sorrow and shock.

To learn about the deplorable treatment being meted out to fellow Pakistanis by the military establishment of the homeland was the last thing we were expecting out of those on whom, one of the poorest nations on the face of the earth, squanders most of its scarce resources.

... “Denial of access to medical aid has resulted in death of four residents of the Okara military farms since the law-enforcement agencies cordoned off the area.

Residents told Dawn that Naseem Bibi of Chak 45/3-R died because she was not allowed to go outside the military farm when her labour pains started. Abdul Sattar of the same village died of a cardiac arrest as he was also not allowed to go to hospital.

Farzand Ali Jat of Chak 3/4-L and Haneef Jat of Chak 10/4-L had been injured during a police-Rangers action on May 4. Farzand was hit by a teargas shell while Haneef was severely baton-charged. Both died without getting medical aid.” [1]

Sir, are we not observing a sickening replay of the dreadful events of East Pakistan? Wasn’t it exactly this type of mindset that alienated East Pakistanis and resulted in the agonizing split of our beloved motherland? Regardless of the underlying ‘facts’ or circumstantial details, the tragic killing of Nasreen Bibi is an affront to our nationhood, insult to our human values and should be a matter of infinite shame for every Pakistani, not yet spiritually dead. For God sake, have some mercy. Nothing, absolutely nothing can justify barbarism on this scale.

The reported code of conduct is beyond all norms of humanity and definitely one of the most effective ways to seed repugnance against the military among masses. We are outraged, ashamed and petrified, to say the least, to discern moral squalor of our messiahs. Not in our most sombre anticipation of national affairs could we conceive of that even in the year 2003, Pak Fauj could stoop to such viciousness and indignity. The rage eventually prompted this outcry. No, sir, we are not blowing things out of proportion. Please, enlighten us, how should one react to an on-the-spot testimony like this one.

... “Roadblocks are everywhere, manned by soldiers with automatic weapons as well the lighter-armed police. Four-wheelers with mounted machine guns prowl menacingly on the dirt roads next to the irrigation canals, raising huge clouds of dust as they move between villages. For all practical purposes, the nearly one million people of Okara are under military occupation.

“And then, as if the floodgates had broken, villagers came to show us wounds on their bodies, some now turning septic. One, who led me aside, broke down sobbing and told a tale that cannot be related here for reasons of propriety. A visit to the neighbouring village, Chak 4-L, showed the situation there to be virtually identical. Broken limbs, hollow faces, sunken eyes, and marks of beatings were in abundant evidence there too.” [2]

Sir, should we call it apartheid á la former South Africa or compare it with fascist tactics regularly applied by Israeli armed forces in the occupied Palestinian territories? To be straightforward, are these one million besieged Pakistani citizens better off than the hapless Palestinian residents of Gaza, Ramallah, Hebron and Jenin? Pretty doubtful. With the exception of a spiteful aspect that at Okara, Pakistanis are under the occupation of their own army, maintained by their own sweat and blood; what is the difference?

Though discussing legalities over here would be superfluous for obvious reasons. Nonetheless, to any sane person, this is a crime against humanity, by any definition of the term. This self-defeating chauvinism must be halted – at once. Justice must be served: the [in command] culprits responsible for the callous murder of Nasreen Bibi must be taken to task, at the earliest. Slaughter, harassment, torture, persecution and arrest of landless tenants of Okara must come to an immediate end. A just and fair settlement of the issue must be reached before matters get out of hand.

In fact, one really wonders, where are we heading? One day, there are reports of Pak army firing on and killing agitating unarmed tenants demanding the fulfilment of the promises made to them by the Chief of the Army Staff himself during his referendum campaign. And, on the other, military authorities imposing “martial law” on civilian shops, and incarcerating poor law enforcement officials because they [unknowingly] insisted on respect for the law from future army officers. Have a look.

”This is not an isolated show of ‘military might’ here in Multan. On April 22, a police squad intercepted three young men riding a motorcycle near the Aziz Hotel Chowk for breaking the law under which only one person could ride pillion. The young men got infuriated and exchanged hot words with the police. It led to a scuffle. They happened to be cadets of the Pakistan army and called in a contingent of the army.

A case was lodged with the cantonment police on the report of cadet Rizwan Ahmad against the four police officials under sections 341, 355 and 379/34 of the PPC. The police officials, head-constable Mohammed Riaz and constables Mohammed Jameel, Zulfiqar and Mohammed Arshad, are languishing in the prison in judicial custody these days.

As a result of another recent incident, a tea-stall owner of the cantonment area, Mohammed Ali, is languishing in the prison under Section 337 of the PPC on the report of Maj Naveed. The major got into a scuffle with Mr Ali over parking his car in front of the latter’s tea-stall. “ [3]

What a disgrace, Sir. A poor tea-stall owner is languishing in jail because he dared to ask His Lowness [Minor Naveed] not to block his bread-earning venue with his sacred car. Imagine, Pakistanis being treated as slaves by Pakistani military lords. We are horror-struck to observe the quality of our army officers, the standard of their training and the mental approach of the defenders of our geographical and ideological borders. May we ask: can you envisage something very remotely reminding of, let alone resembling to these ghastly events in any of “civilized” countries or by “civilized” people anywhere else in the world?

Sir, what type of men is it that this institution produces and nurtures? Without exaggerating, these individuals are grave security risk. To tell the truth, their professional (in)competence apart, they are not worthy to be considered even as human beings. They should be better kicked out, before they take the institution too down the drain with themselves? And, it is personal, foremost duty of the top layer of Pak army to ensure that there will NOT be any recurrence of the sort. Relenting in this regard will be tantamount to total moral bankruptcy.

At the same time, it must be kept in mind that zullam has an extraordinary propensity to boomerang. When a defending force becomes an oppressing tool of a few, states crumble from within. The day, people got up to this hegemony, sir, you and your colleagues wouldn’t find any place to hide. Thus, it is in your own interest to realize that despots are no more beyond the reach of justice. Fear the wrath of Allah Almighty. The fate of Saddam Hussein, Milosevic et.al should serve as a warning signal to you all.

As you might have observed, without getting into political, constitutional debate we kept ourselves confined strictly to indubitably lamentable episodes. Otherwise, there are gigantic amount of implicating material, ample corroborating data, first hand experiences, numerous eyewitness accounts, accumulated over the last three and a half years, substantiating the total meltdown of the character and professionalism of the armed forces. Logically, what distresses us most is that the aforementioned incidents cannot be the only cases of this nature. How many analogous “operations” go unnoticed or forcefully keep out of public notice is a depressing assumption.

Anyway, let us also solemnly clarify, while representing a broad social and geographical spectrum of Pakistan, we are absolutely apolitical simple Pakistanis, with NO affiliation whatever with any political, religious, sectarian, ethnic or jihadi organisation/outfit. Perhaps, most importantly, none of us has any direct stake either in the abovementioned instances. In short, this letter is neither due to any personal animosity nor because of any ideological, political inclinations.

Hopefully, you will try to understand the gravity of the situation and not casually discard our earnest request to keep your house in order by declaring us traitors and/or Indian agents. Similarly, instead of grading our ‘patriotism’ or chanting much-abused, meaningless mantra of “supreme national interest” some concrete steps to tackle the rot would be far nobler a service to the nation. Failure on your part to take visible measures to contain despotic trends and weed out black sheep will only cement the image of Pak army as a rogue force.

Yours sincerely,

Shazia Saleemi
Elinborgsbacken 22 BV
163 64 Tensta
Sweden
Tel: 0046 - 707172466
Fax: 0046 - 8 7955139
Email: shaziasaleemi@mail.com