They didn't bomb most military bases either.
The truth is that most of the initial fighting was left to the Northern Alliance. Air support was not as abundant as you'd think.
So you're saying we'd be able to mount a more effective campaign in this regard?
That is absolutely not what im proposing. That's absurd and a strawman argument.
I'm proposing bombing high value militant targets, known bases, and targeting banks and financial institutions.
Cripple them both leadership wise, and economically.
They've been fighting for 30 odd years without fear of economic suppression or anything else. We've had them on blockade since months now (to our detriment mind you). And right now frankly, we don't even have the clout to go ahead and get the world to put sanctions on them or anything similar.
What makes you think they give a hoot about economic pressure?
I never proposed what you've written in the first place.
Never did any such thing.
But I must remind you that I was one of the few people since the old PDF that actively said the return of the taliban was not a good idea.
This was a general observation on the commentary I've seen on the issue, here and on twitter. Replace Afghans with Palestinians and you'd have trouble understanding if it was us or Israelis posting.
It is not.
This is as bad of a take as said that the terrorism issue is entirely afghanistan's fault.
its a mix of both, because militants born on both sides of the border have participated and died for militant causes.
You first say it is not, and then you agree with my point?
on top of that, Afghanistan has NEVER been friendly towards Pakistan, ever.
And...? This is like the same crying we do "Ramzan main hamla kar dia", "Masjid par hamla kar dia".
Haan kar dia, haan they hate us, so do something about it, which is effective.
Never said anything about strategic depth.
So what's this then?
This would help the NRF gain a proper foothold, and turn Afghanistan's guns inwards.
The pashtun belt will continue to exist, sure, but the territory they'll operate from will be more manageable and easier to deal with...and that's the point.
Same piece of land with the same people. The western half of Afghanistan is as good as a blackhole for us. Balkanize kar kay bhi you'd be left with the same problem.
The solution to this IMO rests in us increasing our capabilities and having an effective deterrent on the border, nothing else will achieve our goals of lasting peace in the region. This is step 1, stop the inflow. You aren't going to be able to get the Afghans to do anything. You tried with the Haqqanis and the Mullah Bradar, to no fruition. They've got Qataris and Indians to give them what they need. Sure, you can keep striking tactically where you see fit, but that in itself is not the solution.
There are no shortcuts to this, you have to pour in resources if you want to get lasting peace. Granted the terrain is tough and undulating, but it's not the surface of the moon we are talking about here. If China could create a wall in that terrain, and if we could create KKH, then we sure as heck can erect this wall too. Not saying this is easy, or a walk in the park, but then it is what's required at this point.
This is the military and tactical part of the equation.
Then comes the social aspect of it, which has been discussed to death and everyone knows what the roadblocks to that are.
I have no love for Afghanistan, but these one off strikes, and then luddian dalna and vague posting for the next 3 days from ISPR interns isn't really going to do you any good. It's time we get serious about these matters, magr hamara zyada zor syasat aur real estate par hai.