PAKISTAN MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO OPERATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 018379

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR P, SCA, PM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2016
TAGS: AF MCAP MOPS PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO OPERATIONS
MOUNTAIN THRUST AND MOUNTAIN FURY

Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d)

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Introduction and Comment
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1. (C) Operation MTN Thrust began in Southern Afghanistan
(Kandahar, Helmand, and Nimroz) in May. The Operation set
the conditions for NATO Operation Medusa, which began in
July. Operation MTN Fury began in Eastern Afghanistan
(Ghazni, Loghar, Paktika, Paktiya, and Khowst) August 1, with
decisive operations beginning on September 13. Prior to the
operations, Combined Joint Task Force - 76 (CJTF - 76) and
Office of Defense Representative Pakistan (ODRP) presented
goals for the operations to the Pakistan military (Pak-Mil
leadership and requested assistance preventing infiltration
and exfiltration across the Pak-Afghan border.


2. (C) Comment: ODRP reports that cooperation from Pak-Mil
has been good. (Note: Because the GOP historically views
the Baloch/Kandahar border as a law enforcement issue rather
than a military and security one, the extra troop presence
was provided strictly in response to U.S. requests. End
Note.) ODRP notes that, while support to Operation MTN
Thrust was useful, the GOP relied heavily on the Frontier
Corps (FC),whose troops continued to be less capable than
the Pakistan Army's. Pakistan security forces, especially
the FC, had limited mobility due to lack of air and ground
assets to cover expansive distances on a less-than-optimal
road system. ODRP reports the Pak-Mil's increased presence
enhanced the closure of the border between Afghanistan and
Balochistan and resulted in the arrests and contraband
seizures noted in paragraph 4. Nevertheless, committed
groups of anti-coalition militias (ACMs) were still able to
avoid the heightened presence and cross the border.

(C) Comment continued: While some observers intitially
feared that the North Waziristan Agency jirga agreement might
complicate Pak-Mil support to Operation MTN Fury, the GOP
continues to assure post that the agreement will not change
Pak-Mil support and commitment to the operation. Cross
border activity by ACMs would violate the agreement and could
be met by Pakistani military action. Furthermore, Pak-Mil
has assured us that total troop numbers in NWA have not
changed since the agreement was signed on September 5. Less
than a week into decisive operations, it is too early to
guage GOP effectiveness in combatting ACM cross-border
activity. End Comment

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Operation Mountain Thrust
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4. (C) Pak-Mil reports that, operating in Balochistan, it
has obtained the following results since the operation began
in May:

--No important cross border militia movement
--Good cooperation from the Pakistan civil administration
--Free medical camps established in remote border areas
treating more than 2500 Pakistani patients and distributing
rupees 500,000 (USD 8,000) in medicines
--Apprehension of 726 illegal Afghans
--Apprehension of 12 Anti-coalition militia suspects from
Wana, South Waziristan Agency
--Apprehension of four foreign fighters (Turkish nationals)
--Seizure of arms and ammunition of various caliber
--Seizure of 10,469 kilos of narcotics and arrest of 15
individuals

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Operation Mountain Fury

ISLAMABAD 00018379 002 OF 002


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5. (C) Based on the U.S. military's goals for Operation MTN
Fury, Pak-Mil has developed the following principles for its
reaction to the operation, which began August 1. (Decisive
operations began September 13.)

--hold sensitive crossing points in strength to deny
infiltration and exfiltration;
--position quick reaction forces (QRFs) in each sector to
reinforce the established posts and to deny freedom of
movement to anti-coalition militias (ACMs);
--maintain sufficiently strong reserves, including Special
Services Group forces (SSGs) supported by aviation and
artillery in each sector to retain offensive capability;
--preempt ACM activity through well conceived and coordinated
intelligence collection plans while keeping the border under
effective surveillance; --assist coalition forces by sealing
the border during the conduct of Operation MTN Fury,
preventing cross border movement at all costs.


6. (C) Troop deployments in FATA in response to Operation
MTN Fury:

North Waziristan Agency:
7 Division: 6th Brigade, 27th Brigade, 117th Brigade, 207th
Brigade
(12 Army battalions and 12 Frontier Corps Wings along the
border.)
(Note: Each FC Wing consists of 600 troops. End Note.)

South Waziristan Agency:
9 Division: 116th Brigade; 325th Brigade
(6 Army battalions and 8 Frontier Corps Wings along the
border.)

Kurram Agency:
Five Frontier Corps Wings (less two companies)
One Army battalion reserve
One company-size and five platoon-size quick reaction forces

Khyber Agency:
Three Frontier Corps Wings
Three platoon-size quick reaction forces

Mohmad Agency:
Three Frontier Corps Wings
Three platoon-size quick reaction forces

Bajaur Agency
Seven (plus) Frontier Corps Wings.
CROCKER