Bharat Rakshak

Nothing will happen under the democratic party rule. The Republicans can grandstand all the want.

Maria wrote:Neither was the USSR, however they still executed the Rosenbergs for spying.

You make a good point (I'm talking about the Soviet Union and the Cold War not the Rosenbergs in particular). However, I have to point out that the Rosenbergs were executed in 1952 (or may be 1953 ??). That was almost 70 years ago. America in those times was a vastly different society than what it is today -- it was a vigourous, virile nation with a rock-solid sense of self, of right and wrong. Sure it had some injustices etc., but it was very certain that what the Rosenbergs did was wrong, not just legally but morally.

America today is a confused, divided, disunited society which may or may not survive as a united entity for another decade. A second civil war or revolution (a second Boston Tea Party) is not only not unthinkable, but there are many Americans who think it has already started. Already today you can see/hear people not only justifying what Milley and Co. did, but praising it.

I don't know what will come of this exposé, perhaps nothing in the short term, but in the medium-to-long term (5 years or more from today) it is a deadly toxin in the bloodstream of the American body politic. If the Democrats and their fanatical fellow-travellers in the media, the security services and the military can so shamelessly conspire to ambush and destroy a popular Republican president on such phony and mendacious grounds, why shouldn't the Republicans return the favour as soon as they think it suits them, some time in the future? After all, Republicans have generals, admirals, FBI agents and lawyers who support them. What would stop them from doing this, apart from a lack of nerve? True, Republicans generally lack nerve (they are patriotic but cowardly), but who's to say they won't wake up one and find a backbone and a pair of b@lls? Stranger things have happened.

Finally, if you're interested in this topic, you may want to check out Amazon Kindle books by an author named Kurt Schlichter, specifically his "Kelly Turnbull" series. The fictional scenarios he portrays there are extremely serious, but IMO not far-fetched at all.

No more from me on this topic in this thread, because it would constitute thread-hijacking. If you reply on another thread, let me know which one. TIA.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 71323.html
‘India wasn’t fully in the loop on US-Taliban deal’: Jaishankar explains concerns
Rezaul H Laskar, Oct 01, 2021
New Delhi: India was not taken into confidence on all aspects of the deal signed by the US and the Taliban last year and it still isn’t clear whether Afghanistan will have an inclusive government or whether Afghan soil will not be used for terror, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. These issues have given rise to justified concerns in India and other countries about the situation in Afghanistan, he said while speaking virtually at the annual leadership summit of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
Jaishankar described the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad as a grouping that brings together four countries with shared values and a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, and said it should not be perceived as “some kind of ganging up” against China. Participating in a conversation with former American ambassador Frank Wisner, Jaishankar responded to a question about the threat from recent developments in Afghanistan by saying: “I think to some degree, we’ll all be justified in having levels of concern. And to some degree, the jury is still out.
“When I say levels of concern, there were commitments which were made by the Taliban at Doha...The US knows that best, we were not taken into confidence on various aspects of that.” He added, “So, whatever were the deals which were struck in Doha – one has a broad sense but beyond that, are we going to see an inclusive government, are we going to see respect for the rights of women, children and minorities? Most important, are we going to see an Afghanistan whose soil is not used for terrorism against other states and the rest of the world?”
The concerns of India and other countries were captured by the UN Security Council resolution 2593, which was adopted in August, though it remained to be seen how these worries would be addressed, Jaishankar said. India will take its time and study the matter because many of the understandings reached by the US and the Taliban “are not known to the entire international community”, he added. India’s concerns related to Afghanistan were discussed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met US President Joe Biden in Washington and both countries “are on similar pages at a principal level on many of these issues”. He said: “We have been victims of cross-border terrorism from that region and...that has shaped in many ways our view of some of the neighbours of Afghanistan. How much the US shares that view and where is it that the US makes its tactical compromises, that is for the Americans to figure out.” Jaishankar also said India and the US share some aspects of their assessment of Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, while there were also aspects “where maybe our positions are not exactly the same”.
.....
Gautam

Jaishakar ji should ditch the diplomat speak and simply say US threw India's long term efforts in Afghanistan and its security concerns under the bus which is plain as day.

Having invested close to 2 decades of his life in the relationship with US, he seems beset with casino mentality. You keep playing more despite mounting losses hoping to hit jackpot.

Does this make sense to anyone

The Taliban wasted no time in getting down to rogue regime business by naming a "Head of Atomic Energy": Engineer Najibullah.

Good thing the Taliban hasn't been sponsored by the military and intelligence establishment of a nuclear armed state for the past three decades.

via@thomasjoscelyn·22 Sep

siraj haqqani is the interior min of the islamic emirate of taliban, so that means no military aid.

haqqani and his network were designated foreign terrorists more than a decade ago.

This huge piece of news explains India's wait and watch policy... India is aware that there were secret parts of the deal between US and Taliban, and there is a hint that the huge cache of weapons left behind by the US is part of that deal. Concerns have been expressed by PM Modi during his visit to the US. Expect no real copreation between US and India on Afghanistan until the secret parts become better known...

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 740441.cms

chetak wrote:some posters said that ameriki weapons with the taliban would be difficult to maintain without spares

Here are some country made automatics that are being produced in small time workshops in the rural Indian hinterland

one suspects that these guys could make copies of better weapons if their price was assured.

one also hears talk that the prices are between 1.5-3 lakhs, give or take, per piece

the pakis and the afghans do much better work than these local desi guys because of the much bigger market and better demand in the afpak badlands

Haryana Police busted an arms smugglers gang and arrested four people. 35 country-made pistols and 45 magazines recovered.

The accused were involved in supply of illegal weapons to gangsters in Delhi-NCR and neighbouring states.

via@ANI·3h








desi or country made pistol (katta) is still available widely

these are country made reloads The afghans are far more adept than Indians at making such maal

13 bullets recovered from a woman's handbag at Visakhapatnam airport,


via@ANI 12:17 AM · Oct 6, 2021

https://www.deccanherald.com/internatio ... 38633.html
Looks like Fridin' action starting again in Afghanistan
Green on Green!
Bunnies wont interfere as ISIS are doing their job to make it 100% sunni

At least 50 killed in blast at a Shiite mosque in Kunduz

Just wanted to share a timeline/thread

shyamd wrote: I think consensus within current TSPA establishment is they regret recognising the previous Taleban govt without support of international powers - bad PR and guilt by association. Especially that Taleban was not inclusive last time - this created its own instability. This time TSPA want there to be inclusive govt (with TSPA at the top to veto anything big .... like GOI involvement)

TSPA has outlined 2 core national interest:
1. Vision for future of Afghanistan (particularly the Durand Line border)
2. Role of India in that region

Previous Afghan govts failed on both counts. Right from the start Afghan govt told then senior TSPA officers that they don't recognise durand line.
Also the US was setting up ANDF ORBAT to focus on Pakistan(!).
Taleban takeover of Afghanistan was a necessity in their eyes. But there is no guarantee that they can control Taleban indefinitely.... Question is what is Taleban position on points 1 and 2 above.

TSPA expectation is that instability in places like FATA, Baluchistan and other places will reduce once Taleb take over is complete

shyamd wrote:
Assessment of Security Situation post Kabul takeover


TSPA priority
- TSPA support Taleban priority firstly will be to consolidate, secure and prevent any forces that can launch a counter coup. Apparently Kabul is not completely secure and the Taleban are still continuing operations.
- Negotiations are taking place between Taleban and forces that are capable of resisting thus the general amnesty for former Afghan govt officials (to complete the coup which means the Taleban/TSPA are still worried about resistance forces)
- The other issues is that TSPA know that there are a lot of groups that are not under direct C2 of TSPA - these will need to be dealt with as well eventually

- Consensus for major powers is that as long as Taleban is truly 'inclusive' then pressure will be taken off Taleban - I believe funds of the Afghan govt have been frozen or about to be frozen
- ISI backed troops such as LeT and JeM are playing a significant role. They have two roles - keep control of Taleban gangs going lose/off the chain and prevent forces that can launch a counter coup.

GOI moves
- First priority is securing all Indian nationals, diplomats and other interests of the Sikh/Hindu community. Majority of the work was completed in 48 hours from the green light given by GOI leaders.
- The next will be to re-establish connections with key players (some of whom are in Delhi) and others in central asian states.
- GOI have a choice. Either support those ready to launch a counter coup and make the point that Taleban hold is weak/vulnerable or move to a long term strategy which is to be recon/surveillance/intel focused.

With only around 9% of indian population vaccinated GOI's primary focus is to get this fixed.

Expectation is that we'll be back to stadium murders soon.
Apparently GOI - Taleban meeting was reported in arab press (the one that MEA denied that took place). Taleban said they welcome Indian investments in infra & education as these are for the benefit of all afghans. They also said the Taliban pledged to remain neutral in the India-Pakistan conflict, especially with regard to Kashmir, and affirmed that it has its own future policy on Pakistan.

They have also pledged not to interfere in Uyghur issues in china.

shyamd wrote: Be careful....maybe ISI want us to think that. From speaking to people I'm getting the sense all dirty business (terror training) will be shipped of to Afghanistan from places like Mansehra and PoK. TSP will follow the international community publicly...i.e. if the powers recognise, they will recognise... if they don't then TSP won't.

The impact will be TSPA will come out of FATF and look clean... they'll say all terror planning/training is happening from "ungoverned places".

Iran has close ties with many in Talebs but they aren't trusted.

UAE has approached Turkey for alliance on Afghan file.

Latest summary is:
- TSPA has sent feelers to London and DC on who may recognise the taleban govt. TSPA want to resolve Afg govt issue quickly because there is concern about refugee inflows
- KSA via former intel director Turki al Faisal is re-establishing contacts with Taleban. This is brokered via ISI. Meetings have been held with Mullah Yaqoob (Mullah omar's son) and other seniors. KSA view is better to have a taleb govt who will be more sympathetic vs Iran.
- I'm reminded that Taleban is a coalition of groups that range from anti TSPA, drug gangs, extremists, nationalists, Pro-Pakhtun ethnic groups, pro -TSP backed terror groups like Haqqani Network, former Afg govt officials... PLA is backing one faction, Iran another - particularly those in border districts with Iran... Russia also involved...(rumour has it ISKP was getting $$ from Russians...)... Sorting out and agreeing powersharing between these groups is proving a little difficult. Each person has earned their seat on table... and each country is having their rep on the table via shura council (incl. Iran)..
- Taleban are being asked to repay debts to these nation states like Russia, Iran, TSP, China who supported them over the years.
- UAE cooperating with Turkey/Qatar alliance on Afghanistan...but it's early days.
- Threat of counter coup has largely reduced..

shyamd wrote: Qatar has been shocked by how different the 'on ground' situation is compared to the promises made in Doha. Qatar, US and others in the region were promised a 'transitional' govt and preparations were seriously underway (hence why the ANA was asked to go slow or withdraw and their C2 had collapsed). The talib mil commanders on the ground ignored all of this and carried on incl. entering Kabul despite all promises by the Talib political leaders not to do so.

It is the military leaders who have the greatest influence over the situation.
Abdul Qayum Zakir (now the defence minister of the Taleb govt. He is the leader of Badri 313 ), Mullah Yaqoob (Mullah Omar's son and leader of the military movement) and Haqqani Network (ISI backed) are the key players in control of the situation. Apparently the military leaders are not cooperating with the political members like Stanekzai and others.

----------------------------
GOI stating that once a permanent govt is formed towards year end, they will talk to that Talib govt..

Apparently HQN faction is dominating Kabul (Jalalabad - Kabul axis). Mullah Yaqoob has Kandahar area. Not sure if its psyops but they are saying Yaqoob and Haqqani are not cooperating wrt political settlement. Haqqani wants inclusivity with previous govt but Yaqoob not interested.

UK Foreign Min met TSP/A to discuss Afg. UK and US answer is that what was promised in Doha was not delivered and therefore we are far away from recognizing Taleban Govt.

Not sure if it’s true but ISI chief in Kabul today probably to attempt to sort things out

Latest I’m hearing is that UK is speaking to Tajik Govt to see if they can pressure Ahmad Massoud to join a future Govt in Afghanistan. (Which means TSP is promising west that Doha agreement will be implemented)…

shyamd wrote: Latest SitRep

- GOI is implementing a strategy & plan on Afghanistan that was created earlier this year. Plan was in process of being updated during collapse.
- GOI will not recognise the Taleb govt but will maintain links via Doha and Moscow.
- Intel assessment is that TSPA will turn up temperature in LoC and J&K very soon... There is a gradual redeployment of terror groups towards LoC (with Afghans being spotted).
- Meet held between PM, Def min, Home min yesterday. Number of options have been proposed by the Nat Sec (Defence is an element of Nat Sec) team with dealing with Afghan situation... Range of issues are being managed including how GOI will secure it's interest (i.e. make sure Afghan soil is not used for terrorism which is the top priority).
- My view: Armed forces (IA/IAF) will be making preparations for deployment to somewhere in central asia in coalition with regional powers (if green light provided). I suspect Brigade level operation with some air cover. Primary task will be border security.

- Not discussed but Tajikistan has made their intent clear - they will defend the interests of the Tajik population in Afghanistan. In August, Tajikistan mobilised 100k troops and called up 100k reserves. Russia is supporting these moves and have also joined in drills and are conducting border patrols/exercises. Volunteers have joined up with the National Resistance in Panjshir (with some state sanction)

Also hearing that ANA aircraft from Tajikistan were used to attack Talib positions today in the main road/valley into Panjshir... Sub-valleys are still being held by NRF.

- Russia also calling for inclusive govt similar to UK/US. Ultimately they want someone in charge of Afghanistan and to make sure there is no terror impacting the Central Asian states
- NSA level meeting between India - Russia to be held today to discuss Afghanistan
- Russia will be conducting military drills in all states sharing border with Afghanistan. India may be joining.

Other side matters:
- There is growing feeling in some quarters in Delhi that British intel and ISI were in cahoots on trying to get DC to recognise Taleban..

shyamd wrote:Intel assessment on Afghanistan

- there is a coalition of countries with shared interests (US, UK, India, Russia, central Asian states and China) with respect to terror emanating from Afghanistan that are cooperating.
- meetings taking place more regularly.

- inclusive Govt was always going to be a challenge for the taleban. Lot of intel effort was put in to get the Ghani Govt (and previous Govs) to be inclusive… so ppl were always aware that Taleban will struggle to do this.
- intel guys are very clear that this is a blow to ops… there is no substitute to being on the ground

Delhi is viewing the current situation as a national security crisis.

TSPA are thrilled and celebrating with current situation. Lots of boasting in the region.
I’m told ordinary folks are fearful… many are moving family to Peshawar/TSP or elsewhere. General brain drain.

Couple of points to add. TSPA is shifting resources to Indo-TSP border as well.

The major concern is the economic situation as aid runs out... Taleban will be forced to increase drug production + be at the mercy of financial sponsors... India will face some of the issues.

MEA thinks we should continue infra assistance after 3 months to change Taleban policy....

West is focused on cyber & drones strikes for now.

Update:
The diplomatic position of Russia, India and others is that if Afghan soil is used to launch terror attacks - ISI/TSPA will be held responsible as they now own the problem of Afghanistan. This has been communicated to TSPA via multiple emissaries.

Like GOI, Russia does not trust ISI/TSPA/Taleban et al and will seek to ensure Afghanistan isn't used to push terrorists into the region.

Added later: I am told TSPAF fighter jets, helicopters, drones and SSG were involved in a night time raid of Panjshir valley. The silence of everyone incl. GOI means there is some understanding of some sorts...

Intel update on ISI chief visit - 14 Sept 21
- ISI chief turned up in Kabul with officials from 8 of their departments.
- the objective of the visit was to:
(a) support the establishment of the interim govt
(b) draw out the plan of the future defence and security services of the new state.

- TSPA wish to create a professional defence and security establishment at Kabul with proper equipment... (most probably chinese gear)
- The intelligence chief is TajMir Javvad. Defence will be led by Abdulhaq Wasiq from Ghazni province.
- The new afghan military doctrine will be closely aligned to TSPA's.
- The force is expected to be a national force with cadre recruited from all ethnic groups in the country.
- 2 objectives for this force is:
(a) border protection
(b) counter terror
- The new force will be equiped by TSPA and will utilise NATO leftovers like helicopters etc.
- ISI chief was keen to integrate Badri 313 into this new establishment and make it the primary Spec Forces unit.

My view is this is similar to how the british ran the empire - let the locals govern themselves but hold control of foreign policy, Defence & security. Appoint a political resident to monitor the politics..

---------------------------------
Iranian FM expected to meet EAM in Dushanbe on the sidelines. He was expected to be in Delhi yesterday but they decided to just have the convo in Dushanbe instead. Speculation that EAM will meet TSP FM in Dushanbe.

Saudi delegation to arrive in Delhi this weekend to discuss Af Pak. UAE Crown Prince and PM spoke about Afghanistan last week.

Update 22/09/21
- PLA undertook recon of Bagram airbase possibly to set up an intel facility alongside Taleb/TSPA
- On US drone basing in India - GOI has asked for some conditions to be met before anything happens... Also accuracy of the drone campaign in general is being questioned.
Added later: TSPA is cool with the drone campaign as long as they get paid... Of course they will try and use it to attack the people they want bumped off.

- ISI chief visit in public to Kabul was partly to begin their internal campaign regarding promotions. Gen Faiz trying to succeed Bajwa. Campaign is in full swing.

- TSPA is deeply worried about the refugee problem (as I've stated above) and now they are even more worried. Part of the worry is that many individuals with armed training may start wrecking havoc by whoever wishes to fund and train them. think about role of TTP.

Al-Qaeda Could Strike U.S. From Afghan Base Next Year, Spies Say

“The current assessment probably, conservatively, is one to two years for al-Qaeda to build some capability to at least threaten the homeland,” Lieutenant General Scott Berrier, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, said at an intelligence conference on Tuesday.

Intel Update 8th Oct
- Tajik's gave the go ahead for a operating base to be established led by RAW with support from MI/Indian military.
- Plan is to organise, arm and train the Afghan opposition - mostly former NDS, ANDF on this GOI base.
- Russia is part of this alliance.

This base is the key part of the tensions between Taliban/ISI and Tajikistan. Taliban have resorted to deploying AQ, Uyghur, Tajik units and are trying to influence the situation through tajik islamic political entities. Tensions very serious and as I said I don't rule out a brigade level op.

Brigade level op by whom?

shyamd wrote: ... I don't rule out a brigade-level op ...

An operation by whom? Whose brigade?

India. If you look in my thread it’s one of the bold statements and explains the context and what IA might be asked to do

Russia says it will protect Tajikistan in case of incursion from Afghanistan

Fri, October 8, 2021, 7:04 AM·1 min read
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia is ready to protect its ally Tajikistan in the event of any incursions from neighbouring Afghanistan, a senior diplomat was quoted on Friday as saying, amid Russian media reports of a militant Tajik group preparing a cross-border attack.

Tajiks are the second largest ethnic group in Afghanistan and make up a majority of the population in some northern areas close to the border with Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic.

According to Russian media reports, the predominantly ethnic Pashtun Taliban have struck an alliance with one particular Tajik militant group which may be planning an incursion into Tajikistan.

"All necessary assistance will be provided to Tajikistan if required, both within the (Moscow-led) Collective Security Treaty Organisation framework and bilaterally," Interfax news agency quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko as saying.

"There are indeed reports that the Taliban cannot control the situation (in northern Afghanistan)... Still, we hope they will honour the promises they have made (about not attacking neighbours)," Rudenko added, without elaborating.

ldev wrote:Russia says it will protect Tajikistan in case of incursion from Afghanistan

"There are indeed reports that the Taliban cannot control the situation (in northern Afghanistan)... Still, we hope they will honour the promises they have made (about not attacking neighbours)," Rudenko added, without elaborating.

Pakis took more than they can chew. Now they can't spit it out either, any way keeping AF volatile is best way to keep the telebunnies AND the ISI busy

The Tajik AF is so porous that anyone can just walk over., unless Russia aids them and establish a controllable border, this is just a matter of time, before the taliban enforces border controls

chetak wrote:

chetak wrote:some posters said that ameriki weapons with the taliban would be difficult to maintain without spares

Here are some country made automatics that are being produced in small time workshops in the rural Indian hinterland

one suspects that these guys could make copies of better weapons if their price was assured.

one also hears talk that the prices are between 1.5-3 lakhs, give or take, per piece

the pakis and the afghans do much better work than these local desi guys because of the much bigger market and better demand in the afpak badlands

Guns like this are more likely to explode in the shooter's hand rather than throwing a bullet 50m or further.

jamwal wrote:Guns like this are more likely to explode in the shooter's hand rather than throwing a bullet 50m or further.

Akhilanand Tripathi's factory, Mirzapur, UP.

Vayutuvan wrote:

jamwal wrote:Guns like this are more likely to explode in the shooter's hand rather than throwing a bullet 50m or further.

Akhilanand Tripathi's factory, Mirzapur, UP.

Not these days

khargone and khandwa in MP and in many parts of UP such enterprises abound.They have a ready market in bhind and in the adjoining areas of MP's gwalior chambal region.

bihar and bengal are another set of stories all together

cheap cheeni imports are smuggled in from nepal and via the NE as well as from srilanka.

There is a flourishing market for these weapons and huge profit margins.

The hoi polloi of the criminal classes have graduated from their humble origins and using crude desi khattas and upgraded to AK-47s for some time now.

Lots of idiots in dilli carry these pistols and will open fire at the mildest of provocations.

Admittedly, the products are not as sophisticated or as varied as those available in the paki darra adam khel market, but the guys who run these rackets in India are multi millionaires many times over and have assured politico-police protections and blessings

the pakis are adept at making fairly reliable copies of the M-16 and the glock, whereas these guys have not yet reached that level of technical expertise and sophistication but I have every faith that our guys too will get there fairly soon

I think there was a huge opportunity missed by India to do a Surgical Strikes 4.0 in Afghanistan, from our Tajik base. When we realized that the U.S is going to leave behind $$Billions worth of helicopters, humvees etc, we should have coordinated with the Tajiks and launched an air-strike to destroy all these vehicles on the ground. They would've all been grouped & stored in a handful of places - ideal for a few bombing runs to destroy them.

No point in griping that it will fall into the wrong hands, when we have an opportunity to do something about it.

Yes, there are concerns about "how will we overfly our Sukhois into Tajikistan without violating Paki/Afghani airspace?" etc. But these are solvable problems, if there is a will at the highest level of Government.

There might still be a window of opportunity to do this. I hope we take it.

Prem Kumar wrote:I think there was a huge opportunity missed by India to do a Surgical Strikes 4.0 in Afghanistan, from our Tajik base. When we realized that the U.S is going to leave behind $$Billions worth of helicopters, humvees etc, we should have coordinated with the Tajiks and launched an air-strike to destroy all these vehicles on the ground. They would've all been grouped & stored in a handful of places - ideal for a few bombing runs to destroy them.

No point in griping that it will fall into the wrong hands, when we have an opportunity to do something about it.

Yes, there are concerns about "how will we overfly our Sukhois into Tajikistan without violating Paki/Afghani airspace?" etc. But these are solvable problems, if there is a will at the highest level of Government.

There might still be a window of opportunity to do this. I hope we take it.

All easy and dandy to say, but practically not possible, clearly the US has agreed to transfer weapons to the Taliban/Paki Fauj, they controlled the airspace till they left, they have too many levers for us to interfere in something like that, they would have simply shot down our aircraft and said Taliban air force did it?

We are in a make believe world sometimes on BRF. Inspite of what Pakistan has done- they do not want to hurt the Pak-fauj, disclosure of F-16 loss would smash the Pak fauj H&D badly- but they refuse to do it? Think about it?

Despite what we think, I think if some ANF arms are dispersed and I think it is good, Pak Fauj controls because they are only ones in Pak Afgan territory with the best arms, despite all the propaganda, the Aam Abdul does not have good fire arms especially Pashtuns, if they did Pak jab would be burning. Soo many small arms in Aam Abduls in Afganistan and Pusthuns is a good thing, it is a big headache for Bajwa and Im the dim. Thats why Taliban always checked homes for weapons when they took over an area.

I am sure with soo much weaponry it is going to hit the Pak army in few months time.

You make too many assumptions. Example: US wanted to sneakily handover this equipment to Pakis. Maybe true, maybe not. Bombing the materiel will force their hand either to protest or to keep quiet/be thankful. We don't need their permission/collaboration to do this action.

No one is asking the equipment to be bombed while the USAF is still in play. Bombing should've been (or should be) done after the US has exited the building.

Uncontested airspace. Eminently do'able.

We can always come up with reasons why "there will be difficulties". Surgical Strikes 1, 2 & 3 were also fraught with difficulties, risk of escalation to war, risk of deaths to own troops, international repercussions etc etc. But the GOI showed their resolve and got the job done.

Similarly, I trust them to get the job done here, if they make up their mind. I hope they're thinking about these kinds of actions.

And I hpoing the small arms cause a lot Martyrs for the Pak Fauj and Pakiban.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/tal ... n-80507575
Taliban says US will provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
KATHY GANNON Associated Press, October 10, 2021
ISLAMABAD -- The U.S. has agreed to provide humanitarian aid to a desperately poor Afghanistan on the brink of an economic disaster, while refusing to give political recognition to the country's new Taliban rulers, the Taliban said Sunday.
The statement came at the end of the first direct talks between the former foes since the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops at the end of August.
There was no immediate comment from the U.S. on the weekend meeting.
The Taliban said the talks held in Doha, Qatar, “went well,” with Washington freeing up humanitarian aid to Afghanistan after agreeing not to link such assistance to formal recognition of the Taliban.
The United States made it clear that the talks were in no way a preamble to recognition of the Taliban, who swept into power Aug. 15 after the U.S.-allied government collapsed.
Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen also told The Associated Press that the movement's interim foreign minister assured the U.S. during the talks that the Taliban are committed to seeing that Afghan soil is not used by extremists to launch attacks against other countries.
.....
Gautam

chetak wrote:khargone and khandwa in MP and in many parts of UP such enterprises abound.They have a ready market in bhind and in the adjoining areas of MP's gwalior chambal region.

Khandwa of all places. My granddad was a math teacher to the Ganguly brothers in that town (when Ashok Kumar was in his high school years). My aunt remembers them. Naxalbary influence just like CG in the east. (End of OT)

g.sarkar wrote:https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/tal ... n-80507575
Taliban says US will provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
KATHY GANNON Associated Press, October 10, 2021
ISLAMABAD -- The U.S. has agreed to provide humanitarian aid to a desperately poor Afghanistan on the brink of an economic disaster, while refusing to give political recognition to the country's new Taliban rulers, the Taliban said Sunday.
The statement came at the end of the first direct talks between the former foes since the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops at the end of August.
There was no immediate comment from the U.S. on the weekend meeting.
The Taliban said the talks held in Doha, Qatar, “went well,” with Washington freeing up humanitarian aid to Afghanistan after agreeing not to link such assistance to formal recognition of the Taliban.
The United States made it clear that the talks were in no way a preamble to recognition of the Taliban, who swept into power Aug. 15 after the U.S.-allied government collapsed.
Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen also told The Associated Press that the movement's interim foreign minister assured the U.S. during the talks that the Taliban are committed to seeing that Afghan soil is not used by extremists to launch attacks against other countries.
.....
Gautam

So US wants to keep a Pak Pazand Govt in Afganistan for it's own reasons. Time we here understand that.

I cannot help but wonder how did the US and EU powers get to where they are by being this stupid ? Clearly they want to see as few refugees from Afghanistan entering US/EU as possible, so they are hoping throwing few billions in "humanitarian aid" will stop people from fleeing the newly minted caliphate for greener pastures in the west. What they fail to understand is 99% of this aid will go into treasuries of the afghan warlords currently running the motheaten country, the mango afghan man will continue to pay human traffickers his life's savings just to get the hell out of that country and somehow make it to EU/US. This migration won't stop if you bribe the pakis/telebunnies 2 billion or 20 billion USD in aid.

Cyrano wrote:Jaishakar ji should ditch the diplomat speak and simply say US threw India's long term efforts in Afghanistan and its security concerns under the bus which is plain as day.

Having invested close to 2 decades of his life in the relationship with US, he seems beset with casino mentality. You keep playing more despite mounting losses hoping to hit jackpot.

Sunk costs fallacy.

Ambar wrote:I cannot help but wonder how did the US and EU powers get to where they are by being this stupid ? Clearly they want to see as few refugees from Afghanistan entering US/EU as possible...

This is an assumption that the powers that be act in a monolithic rational manner for the benefit of the population of the country. It is quite clear for many countries, the powers have no problem with refugees, even seem to be encouraging them.

Afghanistan: The Difficult Chapter Ahead

The weeks that have elapsed from the fall of Kabul have led to a remarkable surge in commentary – remarkable inasmuch as Afghanistan had generally disappeared from the front pages of mainstream media and even from the Washington think tank agenda in recent years. It was as if the Obama and Trump administrations had decided that we could somehow ignore Afghanistan and get on with other business, and only a very small and very wonkish group of experts would spend their time following the progress of the American experiment in Afghanistan.

But that has ended. In Washington, in policy circles, the debate over the American withdrawal from Afghanistan rages on (even if, pace Obama and Trump, the mainstream media has progressively lost interest in the details of what’s happening in Afghanistan, and in the region of South Asia generally).

Now, it’s a debate about us.

........

Russia-led security bloc to hold military drills near Afghan border on Oct. 22-23

MOSCOW, Oct 13 (Reuters) - A Russia-led security bloc that includes some countries adjacent or close to Afghanistan will hold military drills near the Afghan border in Tajikistan from Oct. 22-23, the RIA news agency reported on Wednesday.

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) includes Tajikistan, which has a lengthy border with Afghanistan, as well as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus.

Afghanistan’s hunters become hunted as Taliban conquer old order

Khalid, a former officer in the Afghan intelligence service, has been in hiding since Kabul fell. His job was to interrogate captured Taliban and Isis fighters. He once arrested a man who pretended to be a roadside heroin addict but was actually planting “sticky bombs” on cars in Kabul.

On the morning that the Taliban entered the city, Khalid and his colleagues hastily discarded their uniforms and abandoned their headquarters. There was no time to dispose of documents identifying the staff of an organisation dedicated to infiltrating and disrupting the Taliban.

“On the third day after Kabul fell, I received a phone call saying ‘you are Khalid and it is currently your shift’. They were reading the rota on the wall. I said I’m Fawad and I’m a shopkeeper,” he said. “I got another phone call saying ‘you are Khalid and it is our obligation to kill you’. They said I had been an oppressor and they told me about the operations I had been involved in.”

He does not believe the Taliban’s promise of amnesty for anyone who worked for the former government. Some of his ex-colleagues had been captured during house-to-house searches and killed, he said.

Khalid, the former Afghan intelligence service interrogator, said it was impossible for those in his situation to adjust to the new Afghanistan. He is trying to find a way to get his family out of the country and is getting desperate.

“There is no place for us here now. We have not even been able to go back to our house since the Taliban came,” he said. “Either we escape or we will run out of money and die here.”

Dilbu wrote:Russia-led security bloc to hold military drills near Afghan border on Oct. 22-23

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) includes Tajikistan, which has a lengthy border with Afghanistan, as well as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Belarus.

GOI has held senior meetings with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia in the last month. RAW taking the lead in organising the afghan opposition - CIT-J and CIT-X deployed in Tajikistan base along with Indian military assets. Preparations in full swing clearly - sounds like logistics being sorted.. All elements of national power being exercised - Diplo, econ and military. TSPA doing its best to counter

Ambar wrote:I cannot help but wonder how did the US and EU powers get to where they are by being this stupid ? Clearly they want to see as few refugees from Afghanistan entering US/EU as possible, so they are hoping throwing few billions in "humanitarian aid" will stop people from fleeing the newly minted caliphate for greener pastures in the west. What they fail to understand is 99% of this aid will go into treasuries of the afghan warlords currently running the motheaten country, the mango afghan man will continue to pay human traffickers his life's savings just to get the hell out of that country and somehow make it to EU/US. This migration won't stop if you bribe the pakis/telebunnies 2 billion or 20 billion USD in aid.

Ambarji, their conditions have been worse or in the worst pitiable state since the fall of societ union.

This just looks like ransom Being paid by goras to baki/ Telibunnies to mind their own business, when the obvious thing is this will embolden both of them to keep asking for more and more.

Wah ri duniya, kya chutiy@p@ hai

EAM is in Armenia at the moment. If they get involved, Azerbaijan & Turkey will get involved on the opp side as well.

shyamd wrote: GOI has held senior meetings with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia in the last month. RAW taking the lead in organising the afghan opposition - CIT-J and CIT-X deployed in Tajikistan base along with Indian military assets. Preparations in full swing clearly - sounds like logistics being sorted.. All elements of national power being exercised - Diplo, econ and military. TSPA doing its best to counter

shyamd: good to know! Hope CIT-J & X also are involved in Balochistan and whatever centrifugal forces needed in Pakistan.

Also, as I mentioned above, we need to bring airpower into the equation. Destroy the vast stocks of US Armaments left behind that could help the Pakis: Apaches, Humvees & other weapons

j/k is heating up due to this reason to dissuade india from getting involved with rus/stans ?

All the more reason to give double jhaapad from both sides

shyamd wrote:GOI has held senior meetings with Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia in the last month. RAW taking the lead in organising the afghan opposition - CIT-J and CIT-X deployed in Tajikistan base along with Indian military assets. Preparations in full swing clearly - sounds like logistics being sorted.. All elements of national power being exercised - Diplo, econ and military. TSPA doing its best to counter

Really glad to hear all this , but (pardon my ignorance) what are CIT-J and CIT-X

TIA.