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you may be giving the good col. a little too much credit. pakistanis like to take credit for most afghan accomplishments, be it the defeat of the soviet union, or the creation of the taliban. while they had their dirty claws in both those things, they certainly didn't dictate either events no matter how hard they pretend to. these are delusional people who think they are the second coming of the mughal empire, that think by naming their masjids after saudis, their missiles after afghans, and their foreign bought weapons after islamic hallmarks of history that this all earns them some sort of street cred.
pakis did have a hand in manipulating the taliban, though its not as much as they would like to think.There are people today who think that admitting God’s absolute greatness decreases the value and importance of humans in the creation, as if God and mankind are rivals competing in greatness and power. Meanwhile I feel that whenever our perception of God’s greatness increases, with it we become greater, because we are the creation of a great God.
Sayyid Qutb -
i can't say i lost any sleep when this guy was killed by paki version of the original afghan movement he claims to support though. hilarious irony.There are people today who think that admitting God’s absolute greatness decreases the value and importance of humans in the creation, as if God and mankind are rivals competing in greatness and power. Meanwhile I feel that whenever our perception of God’s greatness increases, with it we become greater, because we are the creation of a great God.
Sayyid QutbComment
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Lets examine these claims, and then your follow up comments where you partially agree with the theory that Pakistan was behind the emergence of the Taliban. I have only seen these claims made, but no evidence shown at all in any capacity. Therefore, it becomes a matter of intellectual dishonesty to continuously retort that which is not true or even factual.
FACT: the incidences around the time that the Taliban emerged are not unclear, but very transparent. There was widespread crime and disorder. Women/girls were raped, murder was the norm, and theft was happening without consequence. The specific incident that gave rise to the Taliban and the extreme rule of law they subsequently implemented was the rape of two girls by a militia commander. In response, these religious students gathered others and killed the commander, hanging his remains from a tank for three days. justice was swift, but considered brutal. Pakistan had nothing to do with these events which gave rise to the Taliban
Non-Implementation of the Durrand line, or the INABILITY of Pakistan to implement it does not account for support for the Taliban, not in the early days, and not even now. Aside from that, the support which they did initially give came along with support and recognition from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These three countries all supported and recognized the Taliban. To narrowly only focus on the recognition and support given to the Taliban by Pakistan, but to summarily ignore that given by the two other nations is misinforming to say the least.
Support and recognition is not sufficient evidence to say that such and such is being manipulated. If one is to use this nonsensical logic, then nearly every national government in the world is a proxy or being manipulated by another, and this is not true at all.
The world is far too complex, and nothing is black and white, but gray. If one thinks the world is black and white, then such a person needs to wake up because they are indeed living in a utopian dream.
The goal of any emergent government is to be recognized and supported by all nations. If I recall correctly, the Taliban even were trying to get diplomatic recognition by the UN, Muslim nations, Asian nations, US, and European nationsLast edited by Guest; 04-02-2012, 01:09 AM.Comment
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Col Imam had played a key role in training the Afghan Mujahideen during the Afghan jihad. He was in charge of the Mujahideen activities in different parts of Afghanistan. He maintained close ties with Mullah Omar and other Taliban leaders in Afghanistan and Waziristan.
“Mullah Omar and the Taliban are highly respected Muslim leaders,” Imam had said in an interview to a television channel, last year.
During his captivity, Col Imam had written several letters to Gen (retd) Mirza Aslam Beg and Lt-Gen Hameed Gul and some politicians to plead for his release.Comment
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"Tarrar was nicknamed "Colonel Imam" by the mujahideen as he was instrumental in helping raise the Taliban militia and he trained present Taliban leader Mullah Omar and other top Afghan leaders, including Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and the slain Northern Alliance leader, Ahmad Shah Massoud. "Colonel Imam" is widely referred to as the "Father of the Taliban." "
"Colonel Imam, who was a commando-guerrilla warfare specialist, had trained Mullah Omar and other Taliban factions. Colonel Imam remained active in Afghanistan's civil war until the 2001 United States led War on Terrorism, and supported the Taliban publicly through media.[2]"
"Taliban members who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they feared being arrested said Mullah Omar made a personal plea for Imam’s life. Also requesting that Imam’s life be spared was Sirajuddin Haqqani, a key leader of the Haqqani group.
The senior military official said Mehsud defied Mullah Omar and Sirajuddin Haqqani and went ahead with the execution after the government and army refused his demands to free several of his imprisoned men."
"A United States-trained former colonel in Pakistan’s spy agency, he spent 20 years running insurgents in and out of Afghanistan, first to fight the Soviet Army, and later to support the Taliban, as Pakistani allies, in their push to conquer Afghanistan in the 1990s.
Today those Taliban forces are battling his onetime mentor, the United States, and Western officials say Colonel Imam has continued to train, recruit and finance the insurgents. Along with a number of other retired Pakistani intelligence officials, they say, he has helped the Taliban stage a remarkable comeback since 2006.
In two recent interviews with The New York Times, Colonel Imam denied that. But he remains a vocal advocate of the Taliban, and his views reveal the sympathies that have long run deep in the ranks of Pakistan’s military and intelligence services."
"Colonel Imam has left four offspring behind, including two sons and two daughters.
Colonel Imam, speaking in Urdu in a video footage had warned that he would unveil intelligence secrets about Afghanistan, India, the United States, Russia and other countries, if Pakistan's government did not accelerate its attempts for his release.
"I urge the President, the Prime Minister and Chief of the Army to accept the demands of the Lashkar-e- Jagnoi as soon as possible," Imam had said in a video.
Colonel Imam was one of the key figures in Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and had masterminded the formation of Taliban in Pakistan."
Last edited by DaMalakandGhar; 04-02-2012, 01:51 AM.Comment
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COL IMAM AS I KNEW
by
Brigadier General Yasub Dogar (Retired)
One of the direct participants of the Afghan War from 1978 till 2001
I had known Sultan Amir later on Col Imam since mid-1966. I had been commissioned about 6 months earlier than him. However, my unit Guides Infantry FF (formerly Queen Victoria's own) came to Lahore as a result of pull back of forces due to Tashkent Accord in 1966 about the time he was commissioned in the 3rd Pathans (FF).
Both of us young and energetic, plunged into the lives of young officers of that time which was divided in training and sports events, assaulting Xing water obstacles exercises. Even evenings were devoted to regimental dinner and guest nights, leaving very little time for fun and frolic. Only on Sundays one could indulge 'non-training events'. Most of us made up for our sleeplessness of the previous six days of the week on Sundays.
In December 1970 both of us found ourselves competing for selection into the elite SSG (Special Services Group). I must have just crawled through but Sultan Amir passed through the three days of gruelling selection tests with flying colours. Only 24 officers were selected from the large number of officers who had volunteered for the SSG.
The basic Commando Course started in early 1971. It was here we discovered the real Sultan Amir. Originally designed by the US Special Forces instructors, it was considered as one of the toughest courses in Pakistan if not of other modern armies. He would carry the heaviest load to farthest distance not asking for relief or respite till one of us felt that we are not being fair to him.
He was the most helpful among all of us, willing to carry anyone else's belongings though he was dead tired himself because of carrying his own weight, weapons, ammunition and other such items. After 25-30 miles night marches over the most rugged terrain, when we would just slump down he would run around to see our hideout, gather fire wood, cook food and see to the security drills of the hideout etc. It was here that his real leadership qualities came out.
A few days before we were to graduate from the course, he was with us in setting a record of crossing the Mangla Lake at its widest, approximately swimming 6 miles both ways in 2 hours and 45 minutes. This record remains unbeaten till today. He along with Brig Akram, later Commander SSG, came out with the highest grade in that course.
He was posted to the elite Tipu Company and I went over to 2 Commando Brigade (SSG). During the Dec 1971 war he had infiltrated behind the Indian troops in the Desert Sector and laid a blocking position. Unfortunately the Pakistani ground offensive just petered out. It goes to his credit that although lost, hungry and forsaken he was able to safely extricate along with his troops. By the end of 1973 he had undergone the US Special Forces Course at Fort Bragg along with Psychological Operations Course. His visit to the US was to bring about a marked change in him; appreciating their training methodology while criticising the materialistic way of life that he saw there. Meanwhile, as the OC Parachute Training School he had also become a jump master with golden ensign (over 100 jumps).
We went up our career ladders, commanding our parent battalions and landed back together in 1976. I was the Commanding Officer (officiating) and he as the Second in Command. We went through hectic training, exercise, operations, etc. together. During this period we were involved in training of the Mujahedeen on a small scale courtesy General Naseerullah Khan Babar who was the architect of the forward policy and had advised Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to be proactive along the Durand Line and payback in the same coin for what the Afghans were doing in NWFP in particular.
Promoted to the rank of Lt Col he commanded his Paltan and landed in the Afghan cell of the ISI in early 80's and was to become a larger than life legend. His stay there was to also change his earlier outlook towards life as well as profession. It was here that he adopted the nom de guerre of Col Imam which became a world famous identity.
Imam went after his job with single-minded devotion. Firstly, training the Afghan Mujahedeen and later leading them into operations against the Soviet troops. The animosity among Afghan groups was so great that Ahmad Shah Masoud and Hikmatyar killed more of each other's cadres than the Russians did. Without, belittling the efforts of the Mujahedeen it was the immense efforts of this small group of officers and men in coordinating operations
inside Afghan which finally resulted in the Soviet withdrawal.
Imam had a low opinion about the operational capability of the Russian forces except the Spetnaz. He had a (healthy) high regard for them and thought that they were among the best Special Forces in the world. He always took pride in being the first stone in the dismemberment of the Evil Empire.
He was one of ISI operators who stayed the longest, went the deepest and earned total respect of the Mujahedeen for his operational handling, tact and coordination. This was also the most dangerous period with Soviet gunships ruling the sky with total air superiority, making any moves by Mujahedeen very difficult particularly by day.
However Charlie Wilson's effort bore fruits and the induction of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles severely challenged the Soviet air superiority. Very few people know or understand that most difficult period. Were it not for the timely induction of these SAMs Dr Najibullah might have been still around. At the same time he was not without his detractors. While handing over the Afghan desk to me, my predecessor Gen Afzal Janjua remarked that one of the biggest worry he had was the personal security of Imam. He was apprehensive that Gulbadin Hikmatyar (GB) may eliminate him for his patronage of Akhunzada Nasim the leader of the Mujahedeen in Helmand Province who was vehemently anti GB. During my stay as the Head of the Afghan desk I too had to ensure that they do not come into each other's domain.
The Peshawar Accord of 1992 owed itself to hectic work of pushing the Mujahedeen leaders round the clock to come out with a solution. Prince Turki Al Faisal Head of Saudi intelligence was also there to pressurize the Afghan leaders. However it was handful of people including Imam who utilized their friendship, influence, charm or arms twisting abilities to force the Afghan leaders to come out with an accord. Although not to the full satisfaction of Iranian diplomats waiting in line to exercise their own influence on future of Afghanistan. The efforts to bring out an accord were by itself one of the major achievements of ISI. Till the last moments there were hiccups and a possibility of its being sabotaged by many players who felt they were not being allowed their part in the game.
The Mujahedeen Government led by Hazrat Mujadadi was installed in April 1992. Most of our work in operations had finished. I asked for a posting out while Imam stayed there till his retirement. Afghanistan remained in a state of civil war even after the installation of the Mujahedeen Government. It was the period of the warlords, Turan Ismael in Herat, Gul Agha in Kandahar, Rashid Dostum Uzbek at Mazar I Sharif and the Ahmed Shah Massoud in Punjsher Valley and other Tajik areas. The Central Government was confined to parts of Kabul only.
The Pakistan Foreign Service officers were not interested or keen in serving in a turbulent Afghanistan particularly after the assault on Pak Embassy and drubbing of our diplomats in Kabul. Col Imam came in handy and was appointed as Pakistan's Counsel General at Herat. Having very good personal relations with Turan Ismael and his brother, he went after his job with gusto. There is no record of Imam having strayed beyond his official responsibility and interfering in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. However his personal friendship with so many of them does not rule out his influence over them. As a Counsel General Imam strengthened these friendships further. He was also target of kidnapping and assassination more than once. Probably his detractors wanted to shoot two birds with one shot i.e. embarrass Pakistan besides eliminating him.
The Pakistan Government during this period was conceiving its own plan for opening up Central Asian Republics through over land routes through Afghanistan. His location at Herat and Kandahar was ideally suited for facilitating this purpose. The Interior Minister Gen Baber was particularly very keen though some saner elements had advised against this adventure. Unfortunately the very first convoy led by Imam got mired in the intra Afghan feuds and was made hostage. The timely arrival of the Taliban saved Imam and the convoy from annihilation. The arrival of the Taliban in 1996 onwards was a home grown affair in Afghanistan though it was laid at the doors of the Pakistani establishment. Imam's personal knowledge was most useful in establishing contact and ultimately recognizing the Taliban. This was done somewhat prematurely and without the input of the foreign office. One of the key figures of Charlie Wilson's war, he was personally known to everyone who mattered, from Charlie Wilson to the bigwigs in Pakistan, his input was considered vital in policy formulations in those crucial years.
Till the last he remained an admirer of the Taliban and prided in having been Mullah Omar's instructor. We had heated discussions on the subject particularly after the destruction of the largest Buddha's statue at Bamyan. However it was difficult to convince Imam. He basked in the limelight he was getting as mentor of Taliban. His impressive, tall and handsome looks with a white turban did knock off some pretty journalists. He also had a knack of impressing people with his candid and frank opinion particularly on the future of American occupation in Afghanistan. He felt that more innocent Afghans had been killed by the US forces – called euphemistically as collateral damage - than the Russians did. Understanding Afghan psyche he believed that the time and space was on the side of the locals.
Lastly what ultimately happened to Col Imam is the most difficult question to be answered by anyone close to him. His last public appearance was the marriage of my daughter on 5th of March 2010. A few days later he was apparently kidnapped by the Punjabi Taliban known as Asian Tigers on a visit to Waziristan along with Khaled Khawaja and Asjad Qureshi a British Pakistani journalist. Imam had earlier told me that during President Karzai's last call on President Musharraf Karzai had complained that rouge elements of ISI under Col Imam were training the Afghan Taliban. Imam was called upon by his old Directorate where he told them that if he was training them then they would surely know it because nothing remains hidden from the plethora of Intelligence agencies for long. He was probably lured into coming to the tribal belt by one of the foreign funded Taliban groups with the aim of finding out what was ISI or Imam's linkages with the Afghan Taliban. When nothing came out he had to be eliminated otherwise the game would be up.
The incredible story of arrest of Raymond Davis and Imam's purported execution by the Pakistani Taliban soon after seems to be interwoven and interlinked somewhere. It also gives credence to the perception in Pakistan's establishment of Pakistani Taliban being a tool in the pay of distant paymasters as part of the new great game. It will remain a mystery till his remains are found, DNA tested and given a proper Islamic burial. His friends, colleagues and lastly his family will miss his colourful personality for a long time to come. It is very difficult to fill such vacuum.Comment
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This person used to admire the Afghan zeal for martyrdom. But when his own turn came he was even ready to betray his own country---This is how Afghans/Pashtuns can be emotionally exploited.
AAJ EXCLUSIVE - Abducted Col. (R) Imam appealed the government - YouTubeComment
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