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Fmr Pakistan Army chief Kayani stalled military operation in N Waziristan in 2011

General (Retd) Ashfaq Kayani and Major Gen (Retd) Attar Abbas.
General (Retd) Ashfaq Kayani and Major Gen (Retd) Attar Abbas.

Pakistan’s former army chief Gen (Retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has been blamed for stalling military operation against terrorists in North Waziristan.

Islamabad, July 1/Nationalturk – Pakistan’s former army chief Gen (Retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has been blamed by former Pakistan army official of stalling military operation against terrorists in North Waziristan in 2011.

“Pakistan’s military leadership had concluded in 2010 that army operation against militants in country’s lawless North Waziristan was vital for peace in the country,” Pakistan army’s former army spokesman Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas told BBC Urdu.

He said the military leadership of that time had decided to launch the military operation in North Waziristan upon recommendations of commanders stationed there and on the basis of intelligence reports. “The on-ground military commanders were of the view that peace could not be restored in the country without a major military offensive because all kinds of militants had gathered in that area.”

He said the military leadership had taken a decision that as preparation for operation would take at least one year, army operation will finally be launched in 2011.

“However, no army operation was launched due to indecision of then army chief Gen Kayani,” Abbas said.

‘Kayani kept delaying military operation’

Asked whether “personal weaknesses” of former army chief played a part in reluctance to launch the operation, he said, “This is generally true”.

“Kayani was hesitant on the military offensive in North Waziristan. He kept delaying the decision because he thought it would be considered as his personal initiative. That is why he kept delaying the decision,” Athar said.

He said that the “indecisiveness” led to loss of time and the country, nation, government and the armed forces paid a heavy price for it.

“Due to this delay, the militants were allowed to gain in strength and now they have entered different parts of the country. I believe the situation would have been quite different today if the operation against the militants had been initiated three years ago,” he said.

General Kayani retired from the military on Nov. 29, 2013, about serving six years as powerful military chief. Gen. Raheel Sharif, the current Army chief, replaced him and was elevated over two senior generals for the position.

After lot of reluctant and iffs and buts, Pakistan Army on June 15 finally launched a military operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal agency a week after terrorists attacked the Karachi airport, killing over 39 people.

According to Pakistan army spokesman, about 400 militants and 17 soldiers have been killed in the ongoing offensive.

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Asia News/ NationalTurk Pakistan News

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