US army trucks on their way to Waziristan?
The US says it currently has no ground offensives underway in Pakistan's tribal region of Waziristan, a Taliban militant stronghold close to the Afghan border. However, one of our Observers in Pakistan disputes this after spotting two of what he believes to be US Army vehicles heading into the region.
The Pakistani army launched a major offensive in the north-western tribal area of South Waziristan in mid October. As a Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), the region is off limits to non-Pakistani forces, including the US. Thought to be a "terrorist haven" for ousted Afghan militants , the Pakistani army initially deliberated over sending 30,000 of its troops to the mountainous region. Two months into the operation, however, they claim to have killed more than 600 militants.
It was reported on Wednesday that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari resisted a direct appeal from US President Barack Obama to step up their ground offensive in the region.
Photos taken by Awab Alvi near to the village of Winder, on the RCD Highway, north of Karachi.
“Within just a couple of hours, we saw two of these things making their way west”
Awab Alvi is a dentist from Karachi. He took the photos of the vehicles on a trip to Hingol, south Pakistan.
The reason I believe they were on their way Waziristan is because we were northbound on the RCD (Karachi - Quetta) highway, which only leads in two places - Quetta (and on to Waziristan), and a harbour town, where there is no military action. Within just a couple of hours, we saw two of these things making their way west. So if it is indeed US vehicles, then can you imagine how many are on their way, or already there?
They're probably building up for a major offensive. I'm quite sure the Americans are already involved in helping the ground offensive anyway. We all know that they're deploying drones there, but they refuse to admit it. The question is, who is running the war? And that is also the problem. Zardari doesn't want to admit that the US are in charge - for one thing it's embarrassing, and two, the public do not trust the US Army. If they know the US is in charge, the government will lose public support.
Personally, I think peaceful negotiations would be more efficient, if lengthy. However, the US has its own agenda; they'll never leave us to sort out this problem in our own time."
Comments
US Army in Waziristan
Submitted by Prof Ramesh Manghirmalani (not verified) on Mon, 11/01/2010 - 05:15.The U.S. military is providing intelligence and surveillance video from unmanned aircraft to the Pakistani army to assist in its week-old offensive in South Waziristan, marking the deepest American involvement yet in a Pakistani military campaign.
The assistance includes imagery from armed Predator drones that Defense officials say are being used exclusively for intelligence gathering in the offensive.
US Army Truck
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 18/12/2009 - 11:19.IT looks more like a US Army fuel tanker rather than a missile truck.
I believe that is a HEMTT
Submitted by Registered user (not verified) on Fri, 18/12/2009 - 14:02.I believe that is a HEMTT type truck. It can be used for a multitude of reasons....all of them unhostile, from tow-truck to fueling. If anything the US Army is most likely selling these to the Pakistani Military.
Ballistic Missile Launcher
Submitted by Awab Alvi on Fri, 18/12/2009 - 09:10.My own blog post about this issue APC’s making their way to Quetta / Waziristan? (US/NATO?)
Things getting a little more interesting regarding the APC etc it turns out to be a SHORT RANGE BALLISTIC MISSLE LAUNCHER - not belonging to the PAK ARMY but more or less US/ NATO - this vehicle is capable of launching a missle up to 300km. People who have been interacting with the Pak Army say that the color configuration is more in the darker green camufladge and are always transported with full Army protocol - there was absolute no protection and the vehicle was in a private transporters
couple of reference images
As far as the discussion of a viable peaceful alternative - I think its stupid to assume all inhabitants in the waziristan region are suicide bombers - there needs to be a concerted effort to drag them to the peace table repeatedly everytime on end - military action with bullets will NEVER create peace. read my detailed blog post as to why I think its important
"Personally, I think
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 18/12/2009 - 02:36."Personally, I think peaceful negotiations would be more efficient, if lengthy."
Really? you honestly think,after all the innocent men women and children these terrorists have murdered in cold blood,including but not limited to taping beheadings and torture,that you can reason with them.......im sure they would love you very much,even when they put the knife through your throat as the camera records your beheading.Disgusting!
"they'll never leave us to sort out this problem in our own time."
Tell that to the victims and family of the victims on 9/11.
I'm sorry about your
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 18/12/2009 - 12:49.I'm sorry about your ignorance because 9/11 was an inside job, provoked to create an invasion with false proofs, and you and the rest of the world got caught into that sinister plan, even the previous government recognized that weren't proofs against Hussein. Actually USA is into all the region along fighting every muslim fiercly, just watch what happens in Pakistan, Afganistan, Irak, and sadly sooner, Iran.
America, the big victim
Submitted by Chandy (not verified) on Fri, 18/12/2009 - 09:20.Don't you think that Pakistan has suffered its fair share of terrorist attacks? And whose fault is that? Well, seeing as the Afghan Taliban were pushed out of Afghanistan by the US "War on Terror", and instead set up camp in Waziristan, even more intent on ruining lives, then you could blame America's thoughtless reaction to that very event.
We've seen that the US bullying tactic doesn't work with these fanatics. They only become more fanatical.
I think Awab is right, don't push things too fast. Otherwise we'll be looking at another 9/11... And then you Americans will get even more aggressive! Violence doesn't solve anything - didn't you learn that from 9/11?
Unregistered wrote: "Tell
Submitted by Welingkar (not verified) on Fri, 18/12/2009 - 08:27.Unregistered wrote: "Tell that to the victims and family of the victims on 9/11."
I would add, also to the thousands of civilians killed in India by the terrorists let loose by the Pakistanis. I think it is high time Pakistan's military generals realize that playing with a sword can have dangerous consequences. For too long you have been playing god with the lives of many people. This war is over only when these 'terroists in uniform' in the Pakistani army are punished.
my dear indian fellow, for
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 03/01/2010 - 13:13.my dear indian fellow, for the long time your govt and your media has tried to make this image of Pakistan army in your minds which is ofcourse incorrect but they were successful in making that image. But good thing is that no one else believes in this shit. Indian's propaganda only works in india. The world known fact is that Pakistan army fights for freedom and defense of pakistan and indian military is doing dirty things with the help of RAW. terrorists attacks in pakistan are all conducted by indian army and RAW. all you need is to understand that indian media has brain washed your mind and you need to re-think to get to the facts.
The Irony is that all you
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 20/12/2009 - 05:00.The Irony is that all you antiAmerican Aholes would GLADLY trade your current situation to be in America.You cowards and hateful racists,personally I think you deserve to live with the terrorists and share their fate.
AND STAY OUT OF AMERICA !