The killing of Pakistan Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud by a US drone is the first piece of good news that Pakistan can celebrate, certainly since its been near impossible to capture or kill any high-value terrorist. Mehsud was the biggest obstacle to Pakistan's campaign in Waziristan. The Pakistan army's job should be made easier in Waziristan, but only if they can exploit the advantages of Mehsud's post death confusion. Certainly before either Hakimullah Mehsud or Maulana Azmatullah, both able deputies of Mehsud take over.
In a different way, the death of Mehsud, should be used by the Pakistan government to justify their usage which had created a strange situation in Pakistan.
Third, Pakistan is now an established base for the US carrying out its covert operations in this region. Out of the almost $2 billion that is coming Pakistan's way in 2009 as "security-related aid" the Pentagon has just added an extra $114 million under section 1206 for training and equipment.
According to Pentagon figures, Pakistan will get $80 million for Mi-17 helicopters, $17 million for counter-terror package for special ops forces, $13 million for ground-based intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capability for counter-terrorism operations and $3 million for helicopter maintenance shelters.
This means Pakistan, despite all the cribbing by its president Asif Ali Zardari about less aid from overseas, will be getting about $5.3 billion in 2009 alone, in security and economic aid from the US. Interestingly, from India's point of view, the new kinds of aid to Pakistan should not be entirely unwelcome, US is no longer giving Pakistan money that it would have otherwise spent on military equipment against India, but is targeting them for counter-terror operations. On the other hand, as the US shoulders Pakistan's burden of fighting the Taliban, Pakistan gets to free up that much resources to use against India.
But the US is clearly pitching its tents for a long stay in the Af-Pak region, using Islamabad as its hub. According to reports in Pakistan last week, the US embassy in Islamabad is undergoing a huge makeover -- having acquired 18 acres of land in Islamabad, with 1000 more personnel, bringing their strength to almost 1800, supposedly including 350 Marines (later the Pakistan foreign office spokesperson was later quoted as saying that 1000 Marines would be stationed there), 250 housing units as well as hundreds of armoured personnel carriers.
In other words, US diplomatic and military presence in Pakistan is being ramped up significantly, far beyond the call of its relationship with Pakistan.
In the years 2002 to 2009, US gave Pakistan $10.8 billion in military aid and only a paltry $4.4 billion in economic aid.
In the years after 9/11, Pakistan got US defence supplies in plenty, most of them to be used against India, not terrorists.
According to US Pentagon reports, Pakistan bought the following from the US in those years - weapons and military equipment bought with a variety of resources - some, Pakistan's own money, some US' foreign military financing, some from what is called excess defense articles, some from a fund known as coalition support funds (CSF) given to Pakistan for fighting terrorists.
Pakistan's big-ticket conventional military buys include, 18 new F-16C/D Block 50/52 combat aircraft (valued at $1.43 billion; none delivered yet), F-16 armaments including 500 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles; 1,450 2,000-pound bombs; 500 JDAM tail kits for gravity bombs; and 1,600 enhanced pave way laser-guided kits, also used for gravity bombs ($629 million); 100 Harpoon anti-ship missiles ($298 million); 500 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles ($95 million); and six Phalanx close-in naval guns ($80 million).
The Pentagon made $4.89 billion worth foreign military sales (FMS) agreements with Pakistan between 2002 and 2008, although the bulk includes the F-16 sales. The US gave $1.9 billion military financing (FMF) with what they call a "base program" of $300 million a year from 2005-2009 and these have been used to buy US military equipment.
Pakistan bought 8 P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and their refurbishment (valued at $474 million); about 5,250 TOW anti-armor missiles ($186 million; 2,007 delivered); more than 5,600 military radio sets ($163 million); six AN/TPS-77 surveillance radars ($100 million); six C-130E transport aircraft and their refurbishment ($76 million); and 20 AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters for an added $65 million.
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Comments:
Sort by: Oldest | Newest | Recommended (19) | Most DiscussedAugust 07,2009 at 09:05 PM IST
Batulla masuds death mean ,one more mujahid gone in the care of 70.virgins.every person in that area is a batulla masud.their will never be a peace untill americans are in afghanistan and india is in kashmir.
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August 07,2009 at 10:09 PM IST
Is it possible that Baitulla Mehsud would have gone to the house of his wife when US and Pakistan military and all are searching for him? Would he have been that foolish to a place which is very likely to be visited by him and hence watched more? Anybody who wants to avoid should be moving to places least suspected by the enemy and keep on changing the places. In such a circumstances it is unlikely. this could be very well a ploy by Pakistan to hood wink US and the world. Pakistan wants to justify its demand for more and more funds for the fight against militants. Pakistan could have made a dealing with Baitulla Mehsud to lie down for sometime. It has made so many deals with militants previously also. Once the heat is over he can surface again.
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August 07,2009 at 10:45 PM IST
this write up rightly points out how the death of Baitullah mehsud is a good news for pakistan which has been drumming up its offensive against the terrorists and extremists in its afghan border and swat areas. But it needs to be kept in mind that baitullah's death may not be neccesarily good news for India because of the probablity of easing up of the pressure on pakistan to act further against the terrorists,given now that its Chief enemy is dead. this may in the near future lead to shift in the military preoccupation of pakistan yet again towards india which should definitely be a cause of concern for India. Still the killing of the top target terrorist is a good news in general as justice seems to have finally caught up with him. What reamins to be seen in this context is the willingness and the perseverance of the pakistan military and its government to go all out against the terrorists and extremist elements operating from its territory in the near future.
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August 08,2009 at 12:40 AM IST
the whole tribal area inbetween Afganistan&Pakistan used to be the land of Pashtuns is going to become the graveyard-"gabristan"for the pakistani army inspite of their double dealings with both the americans on one side&the talibs on the other.they may think they are clever but the time&truth are not on their side and those are the deciders here.until they -the pakistani military&civil leaders come to their senses all the "shakuni"tactics will in the end end up devovouring them.when will they wake up or even learn&listen to reason.before the "gabristan"will come somalification of pakistan what an agonising end to PAKISTAN.
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August 08,2009 at 03:12 AM IST
It is really skeptical news not only because the USA is not ready to confirm this news but also it involves Pakistan which can never be trusted. Unless and until the dead body has been shown to the world no one will believe it..To-Sam the man from pakistan: Why do you always long for virgins? and that too in heaven? You guys impose so much restrictions on girls in Pakistan that they in any way are virgins..and why this all fake things that you will get 70 virgins and end up in heaven? I do not think the person who takes so many lives of innocent people and brings grief can go in heaven. And besides I have never seen a single terrorist descending from heaven to earth to testify this thing..So good luck to you and all your mates who are following this shit logic. At any time the Hell would be better than Pakistan...So its a win win situation for both of us..You leave earth so we are happy and you go in hell which is better than Pakistan so you are happy..Just pray to god that the Indian army does not lay its hands on you (which I think should have happened earlier) otherwise it will make your life worse than it is in Pakistan...have fun
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August 08,2009 at 03:53 AM IST
Baitullah Mehsud dead or alive, he doesn’t carry any weigh in the east. There is a demon of Baitullah Mehsud in every Pakistani, and that’s what makes a Pakistani crap so unparallel compared to other civilized human beings. People like Baitullah Mehsud are the source of income for them; Pakistan breeds them and trades them with the west in return for huge doles. They have really mastered the art of mendicancy. In recent recession times I came to know about governments giving bail out packages to bankrupt companies, but Pakistan have been receiving doles right from its kickoff. From the day of its existence, doles have been the only means of survival for Pakistan. Pakistan is the only parasite country in the world that is selling terrorism to the whole world and in return is receiving huge pecuniary gains, they are proudly mooching IMF, USA, Friends of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, for military aid and oil deferments and requesting former lenders to write off all their previous debts. Pakistan is a terror state and Pakistani Government is supplying aiding terrorist organizations to fight in Kashmir and Afghanistan. In Kashmir Pakistan is fighting a fake war, as Kashmir legally belongs to India according to the treaty signed between Raja of Kashmir and India. All these 62 years (Post Independence) Pakistan have had numerous tries to take away Kashmir but all their attempts have been in vain, including turning militancy as a means to destabilize India. Have they succeeded? “NO” they got sucked in their own scheme of terrorism now started haunting them. Its home farmed terrorists are killing their own breeders. Pakistan has tried democracy-conked out, they tried making it a complete Islamic state-conked out, military rule-conked out, dictatorship-conked out, theocracy-conked out, autocracy- conked out, every governance has been in shambles. Heading towards anarchy–succeed. Pakistan is a country which has ever since its origin lived in the penumbra of doles.
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August 08,2009 at 10:24 AM IST
Baitullah's death mean one more sinner have gone frome the world.
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August 08,2009 at 12:51 PM IST
Baad news for india though.... now pakistan can channelise all its efforts to create insurgencies, terror attacks in india..
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August 08,2009 at 08:26 PM IST
Mr azharudins comments on the above article is based on his ignorance regarding the history of sub continent.Mr azhar has got the information from syllabus books of history which if compared to the past events are only fabricated collection of stories.
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August 08,2009 at 09:49 PM IST
"There is demon of Baitullah in every Pakistani" Well said by Masood. That is "the actual problem". The mentality of religious hatred that breeds Baitullahs. So this is not a victory for Pakistan at all. System breakdown has happened in Pakistan ---entire system shut down by religious virus. You can rebbot that system by wipong out nuisance of religion from society. Can they ? They cannot-- thats why this nation is doomed. Its not an Iraq or Afghanistan which even later has future!!!
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August 08,2009 at 10:42 PM IST
How can Indrani Bagchi be so sure that of the $5.3 billion Pakistan receiving from U.S. this year will entirely be used for fighting terrorism and not even a small part be used against India. I will not be so sure. India has to be constantly vigilant.It is the same old tradition India fighting the demons during satya yuga, the foreign invaders during Dapar yuga and now the pakistani terrorists during kali yuga.
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August 09,2009 at 01:55 AM IST
Bad news for- sam the man from Pakistan (perhaps all Pakistanis) - India wouldn't let Kashmir and Pakistani's military & ISI wouldn't stop supporting terrorism in Afghanistan (perhaps around the world ) and making a mockery out of Islam - a religion of peace.
why don't you take the lead and kill your self! and rest of the Pakistanis will follow soon.
Last, Happy world
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August 09,2009 at 06:11 AM IST
Indrani Bagchi's data on Pak military aid would be helpful if it compared the Pakistan's defense expenditure and procurement with those of India, since the two states are in constant competition. It would make Indians feel less insecure.
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August 09,2009 at 01:21 PM IST
SAM THE MAN FROM PAKISTAN
What a incredible comment from a incredible person sitting in the land of terrorism - Paikanistan. A comment that is a product of your education in a Madrassa, where you are taught that way and indulge in hate ideology. Kid, neither will the Americans or the West will vacate Afghanistan nor will the Indians vacate Kashmir and both are there to say for ever.
With people like you and Baitullah, the world will never be at peace. The only way out is to skim each and every rogues like you from the face of this planet. That’s going to happen and also, Paikanistan will disintegrate and disappear from the face of the planet. This is divine’s will and will definitely happen. When that happens, the world will be better off and a lot safer. Until then, live in a world of foolish dreams.
Its better you call yourself as SLAM THE SHAME FROM PAIKANISTAN.......
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August 09,2009 at 02:06 PM IST
Baitullah Mehsud's death( though this death is still being disputed) in a US drone attack once again proves the vital role of US in fighting terrorism in the region. After all, it also proves that Pakistan alone is not capable of fighting terror in its own territory and that it is simply pretending to be opposing the US drone attacks in its territory. It is another matter to speculate how much the death of Baiullah would make difference to fight Taliban terrorism in Pakistan. In my opinion, Talibans will ever stay a threat in the region. The cadres of Taliban at large have to be defeated in a large scale military action. After all, Sri Lankan forces had to defeat the entire LTTE cadre before ultimately it could lay hand on Prabhakaran. The US and the allinace forces will have to stay for much longer time in the region if it really wants to defeat Taliban on both sides of Durand Line. Surely, it would ultimately help both US and Pakistan. But I doubt it is going to end soon.
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August 09,2009 at 08:30 PM IST
Baitullah’s death is not good news for Pakistan only, but it is cherished over a coffee or a beer thru out the globe. This is a major set back for the Taliban, a threat to the civilized society which was growing even larger with each passing day. Baitullah had a command over an army of 2000 Taliban which could have been a major concern in the future; this death is somewhat successful in destabilizing the growing power in the northern area of Pakistan. This death is also a big moral boast for America and at the same time Pakistan, who had been working in for the war against terror for the last 7 and eight years. The people are petrified with so much terror happening around them people are apprehensive to trust another country.. Which is well evident with a simple fact that sportsmen pulling out of a tournament for security reason… people cancel trips in a time for security reason when world has become such a small place to live?
Eventually this incident can bring faith in people’s mind.
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August 10,2009 at 10:41 AM IST
Kashmir is not the personal property of Pakistan or its govt. Unlike Balochistan which was forcefully occupied by pakistan govt. If it waasn't 4 Nehru n Indira gandhi this problem would have been solved long time back. Mr Sam, Man from Pakistan hates US so much but chooses the name SAm(Dont u know Uncle SAM is d name of US Govt).U eat in McD n KFC, support American companies & call urself a patriot. Shame on U. Ur govt sucks up to the American. why dont U guys set ur home in order instead of trying 2 steal & destroy others. Mind ur own business if u dont want 2 C pakistan break down like Afghanistan
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August 10,2009 at 08:37 PM IST
Sam the man from Pakistan- Leave aside illusionary idea of getting 70 Virgins in heaven, God has placed one hording at the entrance of heaven which reads “PIGS & PAKIS NOT ALLOWED” because God knows both Pigs & Pakistanis have been cloned from one genes. Creepy Pakistanis heads have been infested by this fake believe in madrasas and training camps along LOC & Durand Line. In real life roughshod Pakistanis can’t even think of getting one bloodsucking vampire whore for one single night and they woolgather about getting 70 virgins in heaven when you’ll are doomed to combust in hell.
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August 19,2009 at 06:58 AM IST
pakistan is hiding masud. will use him later in kashmir.
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