During a recent visit to North Waziristan, a stronghold of Pakistani and foreign terrorists along the Afghan border, former Pakistan Army officer Khalid Munir wrote a report describing how the Taliban and other foreign militants move freely through North Waziristan and neighboring tribal agencies.
In his report, titled "North Waziristan – A First-Hand Account," Munir describes the beleaguered state of the Pakistani military in the area in the face of the militants there: "Unless militants attack the troops, camps or check posts, no action is taken by the army. [Military] movement from one place to another occurs in heavily armed convoys and that [takes place] only once a week for administrative requirements."
Following are excerpts from the report:[1]
"The Army Has Not Exerted Its Power to Take Complete Control of the Agency…; Unless Militants Attack the Troops, Camps or Check Posts, No Action Is Taken by the Army"
"Soon after conquering Waziristan in [the] 19th century, the British realized that instead of being rulers, they were the prisoners. Movement was [undertaken only] with heavy escorts and had to be guarded by piqueting the route. Over a century later, it seems that nothing has changed. At least, that is the impression I got during my short stay [in] North Waziristan.
"Questions about the inaction of the army are answered only by visiting the area. The terrain is mountainous, and it is impossible to resort to the same tactics as those used in Kashmir because peaks...
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