From Aristotle to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
“Trust on you that war you are fighting has cause to continue”
By Agha Iqrar Haroon
Politivcal Observer for Central Asia and Eastern Europe
“Rampage–Killing Spree –Rampage –Head Shot—Awesome. You can easily remember these words because these words remind you for your success in world most popular computer game of 90s–Unreal Tournament. War against Pakistan Army and Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) looks like a final game of Unreal Tournament. What an exceptional advantages of TTP against Pakistan Army without having airforce, navel power, limited resources and no cantonments to plan or live. Yes weapons are also non-conventional–single suicide bomber is taking one tank.
People who understand guerrilla war strategy must appreciate Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Its foot work, intelligence network, weapon power –all are matchless and there is no doubt, it looks impossible for Pakistan Army to defeat them”, said one of my friend who is not a journalist but reads newspapers and watches television talk shows more than any journalist. He wanted my comments over his statement. I told him he was right but he did not mention the most lethal weapon TTP has. He asked me then what is that lethal weapon? I said —TTP supporters like Maulana Fazul Rehman, Munawar Hassan and many more veteran leaders who have created so much confusion that “National Resolve” has died and no Army can fight without support from Nation.
In latest statement that TTP released after killing 20 soldiers in Bannu against TTP leadership said that it does not fight with Muslims, indicating that those who were killed in Bannu were of course not Muslims.
TTP looks justify in striking journalists as it did in Karachi because TTP believes that Media is playing a negative role against TTP. One must appreciate leadership and followers of TTP that they are very clear opinion — having no ambiguity about what they believe and what they do. Their believe on their war against Pakistan is unshaken and this is the key for their constant successes because their enemy (Pakistan as a State) is totally shaken in its believe and has yet to decide that fighting against TTP is right or wrong. I remember great philosopher Aristotle says “We make war that we may live in peace”. However Pakistan talks about Peace without making war against TTP.
One day young Alexander that we remember in history as Alexander the Great asked his mentor and teacher Aristotle what is the most important weapon to win the war—Aristotle smiled and said –“Trust on you that war you are fighting is for a cause”
Pakistan as a nation has no trust over its so-called war against TTP while TTP leadership has a strong resolve that they are fighting for a cause. We can debate their cause is right or wrong but we must accept it TTP resolve over what it is doing is unshakeable and that indicates it can win the war against Pakistan Army.
Menahwile TTP is following exemplary strategy of “Move on and keep your enemy busy in negotiations”. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Sunday said again offered peace talks with the government, shortly after killing 20 security officers in Bannu.
TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid said they carried out the attack to take revenge of the killing of their leaders. He claimed the responsibility in a statement and at the same time said the TTP were ready for talks with the government.
“Our stance about the dialogue is very clear. If the government proves its power and sincerity, we are ready for meaningful talks despite our great losses,” Shahid said in a detailed policy statement.
On announcing ceasefire if talks start, Shahid said it depends on the government as it had “started the war and sent troops to the tribal regions on the behest of the United States.”
“The government should now declare ceasefire as it will have to create an conducive atmosphere for talks. We can also review our operations if the government takes some confidence building measures,” the TTP spokesperson said.“We are of the view that the government has no power and sincerity regarding the peace talks otherwise our senior leaders would not have been killed after the peace dialogue offer,” Shahid said.
Regarding the killing of CID officer Chaudhry Aslam, Shahid said the police officer had carried out several operations against the TTP and they had killed him in a revenge attack. He denied that the TTP was involved in the Peshawar attack on a Tablighi Markaz. Shahid claimed that the TTP “do not attack Muslims” as such attacks will earn bad name to their group.
People in power and in decision making should appreciate TTP for its forceful candid resolve and to ask themselves that for how long they can try to fight against TTP if there is no commitment, no cause and no resolve to fight against TTP.
