14 paramilitary troops among 38 killed in Wana: Militants seek exchange of captives (Updated story)

Dawn ^ | March 17 2004 | Ismail Khan

[Dog]

Wow!

[Dog]

Stunning..

[Coop]

The way they were firing on our troops, lobbing grenades and shooting rockets, jumping from one place to another and changing positions has taken us by surprise," he said.

If this official's statement is reflective of the unit's officers, no wonder they're having such trouble. I really feel for the enlisted soldiers, and I wish them all success in their difficult mission.

[MEG33]

Things are heating up over there.

[Larry381]

I can think of one reason for the fierce resistance. Usama is in the area.

[Dog]

Someone big is in that area.......the pickup truck speeding away.....while the whole force of bad guys laid down covering fire....is a major clue.

[Rebelbase]

IMO, there must be tremendous diplomatic pressure on Pak. for it to be taking action of this magnitude, which makes me wonder who the US will side with when India and Pak. decide its time to renew conflict.

[Dog]

I found this tidbit in an article over at Fox.

The death toll from Tuesday's raid on a mud-brick compound in Kaloosha rose to 39 as some troops involved in the operation died of their injuries, a military spokesman said. Suspected terrorists and the tribesmen accused of harboring them fired on troops from the compound and from nearby hills.

Boot there is that name again...Kaloosha.

[Boot Hill]

Yes, this is a stunning account of a major battle. A couple of things that stand out to me are the lack of air, armored or artillery support for the grunt on the ground. It also looks like the tactic the battlefield commanders are employing is to throw flesh at the enemy.

Article place names:

Dabkot (Dab Kot) -- 3 miles (4 km) SW of Wana
Zari Noor -- unable to locate
Zha Ghondai (Zharra Ghundai) -- 37 miles (60 km) SE of Wana
Kaloosha (Azam Warzak?) -- 18 miles (27 km) SSW of Wana

For a more global perspective, click this Map of Pakistan

--Boot Hill

[Dog]

They threw minor league troops at seasoned troops..

[Boot Hill]

If the casualties continue to mount like this, I think we can expect Mushi to call up the "A" team pretty soon, complete with our helicopter gun ships, artillery, the Nightstalkers, etc. The Paki infantry is ruining a perfectly good snipe hunt!

I just took a sleeping pill. I've got to get to bed before I become totally incoherent.

--Boot Hill

[PokeyJoe]

So, where are the US Army "obverservs" with the GPS units. It only takes 2 minutes to put 2 GBU on target these days.

[Jim Noble]

I say we take off and nuke the site from orbit.

It's the only way to be sure.

[Husker24]

I would like to see video of this, sounds like one hell of a battle.

[Dog Gone]

I still don't fully understand the Pakistani political structure. These territories seem to be something like our own Indian reservations with a great deal of autonomy. For an operation of this magnitude, it sure seems like the regular Pakistani Army would be used, but instead it's these poorly-trained local paramilitary forces.

[LN2Campy]

Pak regulars from the steamy lowlands wuld likely freeze their a$$es off up in these mountains and be useless. This "Northwest Frontier" is a different world from the rest of Pakistan.

[azhenfud]

"...makes me wonder who the US will side with when India and Pak. decide its time to renew conflict."

The one with the largest "nuclear deterrent"

[Libertarianize the GOP]

Thought you might find this of interest.

[Dan Cooper]

The official said that the exchange of fire began when a double-cabin pick-up truck broke the cordon and escaped, braving hails of bullets. "What followed was unbelievable. Hundreds of people emerged from nowhere and began what was a ferocious resistance," the official said.

I wonder who was in the quad-cab pickup and how they managed to escape? Sounds like someone bribed their way out and the battle was just a cover story.

[Travis McGee]

I can think of one reason for the fierce resistance. Usama is in the area.

Bingo.