US surge on NWA border possibly aimed at offensive; US launched cross-border attacks 12 times since 2002

US surge on NWA border possibly aimed at offensive; US launched cross-border attacks 12 times since 2002

By Saleem Mehsud

ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 : The abrupt deployment of US troops in large number along with heavy artillery, helicopter gunships and sealing the Pak-Afghan border near North Waziristan Agency (NWA) on October 17 sends alarming sign of escalating tension between the US and Pakistan as US troops during the last 10 years have illegally entered 12 times into Pakistan’s territory and launched offensives.

According to details, since 2002, the US troops have entered into Pakistan’s territory 12 times, killing security forces, innocent tribals living in the rugged region, exchanged heavy fire with Pakistani forces in the bordering area besides launching numerous drone strikes in the tribal belt especially in NWA, considered as hub of the militants associated with al-Qaeda and Haqqani Network blamed by US for killing Nato forces in Afghanistan.

Reports said on Thursday, on December 29, 2002, US troops entered into Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan Agency (SWA) while Pakistani soldiers opened fire on them which triggered heavy fire and Nato helicopters shelled the area.

On April, 2, 2005, some 80 US troops traveled in five trucks into Lowara Mandi area of NWA, launched house to house search operation which lasted for two hours and then went back to Afghanistan without facing any resistance from indigenous forces. In 2006, Nato helicopters again entered into the same area which came under the fire of security forces and local tribals, forcing them back to Afghanistan.

In 2011, February 11, exchange of heavy fire occurred between bordering forces when US troops attempted to enter into NWA. On 14th May 2007, US troops entered into Tari Mangal tribal region which were attacked by Pakistani security forces and in the ensuing battle three US soldiers sustained injuries in which one succumbed to injuries in a Germany Hospital.

September, 03, 2008, Nato helicopters entered into Musanika area of SWA, dropped US soldiers besides killing 20 innocent tribals including six women and eight children in shelling. US soldiers searched houses in the area for several hours and then went back to their bases in Afghanistan.

On 15th September, 2008, and also on September 21, 2008, US troops entered into both Waziristans but were force backed by the firing of the locals and security forces. On 25th September 2008, exchange of artillery fire was reported between US and Pakistani troops in Tanai area in which soldiers on both sides sustained injuries. On 30th September 2010, Nato helicopters entered into Kurram Agency and shelled a check-post manned by security forces, killing three soldiers.

On May 02, 2011, Abbottabad operation was carried out by US Special Forces, killing the founder of al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden which raised tension between US and Pakistan to its peak. On 17th May 2011, US troops once again attempted to cross the border to make its way to Dattakhel area of NWA, but firing of Pakistani security forces did not allow them to accomplish their mission.

Besides launching ground attacks and drone strikes in Pakistan’s territory, US troops are reportedly helping and assisting the fugitive Taliban Commanders, Maulvi Faqir and Maulana Fazlullah who were hiding in the Kunar province of Afghanistan. US troops have assisted the insurgents in launching more then seven attacks on the security forces and innocent tribal in the regions.

The October 17, 2011 move of the US troops to the Afghan area bordering Pakistan's insurgent-infested North Waziristan tribal region along with heavy artillery, helicopter gunships and sealing the border were signs of US possible ground offensive in NWA.

Similarly, Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani while briefing the parliament’s defence committee members admitted that he did not rule out the possibility of a US ground offensive in North Waziristan, but warned that Washington will think ‘ten times’ before launching such an attack.

Kayani said that the ongoing build-up of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) troops along the Pak-Afghan border is a tactic to intensify that pressure.

General Kayani’s statement came hours after senior Afghan defence officials said the country’s security forces and their Nato allies have launched a new push against the Haqqani network.