WAR IN SOUTH ASIA

USSR,WHO STARTED TERRORISM IN SOUTH ASIA FOR THE FIRST TIME.

In December 1979, the massive influx of Russian forces in Afghanistan transformed the geo-political scenario of the region. The ulterior motives behind the events, for times to come, would remain a subject of discussion and analysis for the students of military history and international affairs. However, as perceived in Pakistan, the long term principal objective of erstwhile Soviet Union was access to warm waters of Indian Ocean. This change, with strong military overtones, brought forth certain stark realities and limitations of our military system. Till then, as the envisaged threat emanated from the East, so quite naturally the force structure, organization and plans of the Pakistan Army and Air Force were orchestrated only towards that direction. The newly emerged volatile, dangerous and unpredictable situation in the West called for re-evaluation of our land and air strategy. At this juncture of history, Pakistan’s political and military leadership rose to the occasion. The decision to resist Soviet military aggression at all costs was one of the boldest policy decision taken at the national forum - hopefully for its far-sightedness it would get its due recognition by the posterity. The factor that eased the situation for Pakistan was convergence of national interests which forced United States to offer military assistance. However, the revised land strategy in particular, seemed to have been influenced by the compulsions of policies set by political leadership. With the constant threat of Pakistan being pressurized by the USSR who was the ally of India. Pakistan Had to help Afghanistan Against USSR. In this way Pakistan wouldn't Have to be in threat of war both from her eastern and western borders. If USSR. Had conquered Afghanistan, India would have succeeded in her dream to become the South Asian Bully.

This was enough to awaken the senses of Pakistanis. Pakistan, Under the Martial Law rule of Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, Was ready to help Afghanistan in case Russians attacked Afghans. Though Pakistan Army was not directly involved in the war physically but a Lot of technical Assistance was provided and the Generals visited Afghanistan Jihad Camps to train the Afghan troops. USA, who was sure that if Pakistan and Afghanistan demolish Russian, she'll be the alone super power, Helped in Arms and ammunition and also supported Pakistan (That is until she got her interests) The strategy of the war was set by the Great Intelligence Chief Lt. Gen. Akhtar Abdur Rehman. It was mostly by his planning that led to a defeat of USSR. Pakistani Generals trained and planned the war for all Afghan people to jointly fight. The most Provoking thing was that the Russians mercilessly killed children with chains and daggers and also raped women. They even tried to plunder homes of their small belongings.

With the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, PAF along with Pak Army, quickly adjusted to new ground realities and modified their strategies. In the same timeframe PAF was called upon to actively guard nuclear facilities and prevent India from taking advantage of our preoccupation on western front. PAF measured up to these tasks for which its leadership deserves a befitting tribute. Few are aware that PAF almost remained engaged in a full-fledged war during mid- 1980s on western front. PAF? S Defensive Air Campaign included countless hot interceptions and Combat Air Patrols. The nature of these operations required some bases to generate effort under combat condition for a long time. PAF prepared itself well for the task by creating Air Defence Ground Environment on western front out of its existing resources. It acquired top of the line high tech aircraft from US and effectively employed them with low tech fleet to respond to the Afghan air violations. Though defence of 1000 Km frontier was hard to guarantee, the bombing of Pak territory was contained to a large extent. The Afghans bravely fought the war and resulted in the crushing defeat of the Soviet Union. This also resulted in the independence of Muslim states of USSR.