OPERATION ZARB-E-AZB: RETROSPECTIVE VIEW IN THE CONTEXT OF US RESPONSE

Abstract

For more than 19 years, Pakistan has been in a state of war against terrorism. It has launched many military operations in different areas based on different strategic and tactical considerations. The geographic limits, priority, and timing of these operations were carefully planned and executed. Credible intelligence revealed that after operation Rah-e-Nejat (2009), some of the militant groups shifted to Afghanistan while the remaining took refuge in the North Waziristan Agency. There was a requirement to eliminate these hideouts, thus, Pakistan decided to launch a military operation Zarb-eAzb. As a result, the overall security situation in Pakistan has improved. The US appreciated the successes of operation Zarb-e-Azb but despite these military actions and other practical steps, Pakistan-US relations could not improve as such. There is a consistent divergence of interests between Pakistan and the US in the war against terror that impact seriously on bilateral relations. This paper, therefore, professes that unless this divergence of interest is understood, no ground action irrespective of the dimension and outcome can restore peace and stability within Pakistan and the region.