Army officer Brigadier Sajid launched his book “Waziristan Datta Khel” as a firsthand account of the mysterious land of North Waziristan and especially its furthest tehsil of Datta Khel. The book also deals with the history of a Frontier Outpost (1897-2017).
The launching ceremony of the book was held at the Defense Service Officers Mess (DeSOM) in Lahore on Saturday. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Many prominent figures, like Garrison Officers Commander (GOC) II Division Major General Raza Aizad as Chief Guest, along with University of Peshawar Director Area Study Center (Russia, China and Central Asia) Professor Sabir Ahmad Khan, University of Peshawar Vice-Chancellor Professor Azmat Hayat Khan, Government Islamia College Civil Lines Lahore Principal Dr Akhtar Sandu educationists, scholars, journalists, researchers attended the ceremony.
While introducing the book Professor Sabir Ahmad Khan said that the book was based on empirical data since the author had himself served as a soldier and administrator in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Waziristan. “This laborious effort gives valuable insights into the fascinating history of the land and people of North Waziristan while also elaborating on the contemporary developments of the era of war on terror specifically in Datta Khel. It elaborates on the struggle, hardships, and the loss of human lives faced by the Pakistan Army during its struggle to root out terrorism and establish the writ of the state in the area,” he added.
Datta Khel Camp’s upkeep project was taken by the author in 2017 when he served as commander in the Pakistan Army for a year. It took him four years to write the book which the writer views as a work of love and passion. The writer dedicated the book to the Pakistani military officers, Paramilitary Forces, and patriotic citizens, who lived, fought, and died, hand in hand to cleanse the land from terrorists and make the Pakistan flag higher in the remotest corners of the country.
About the Book:
The book takes account of the history & culture of the land, then goes deep into featuring the military and its significance in that region. The author has a long association with the former Tribal Districts including Waziristan as a soldier and administrator and his deep insight and affiliation with the land and its people is amply reflected in the book. He has written the book while serving in North Waziristan’s Datta Khel, so it is certainly a valuable addition to the scarce literature on the area in contemporary times.
The book which is divided into six chapters discusses different dimensions of former tribal areas in general and Datta Khel area of Waziristan in particular.
The first chapter titled “Introduction” discusses the topography, ethnography, tribal configuration, cultural aspects, livelihood, and natural resources of the area.
The second chapter titled “From Antiquity till World War I” briefly elaborates on the region from ancient History to the advent of Islam and to the Mughal Era, the arrival of the East India Company, to the Rise and fall of Sikh rule. The British occupation of the Punjab, The Great Game, the rise of the Corps of Guides, and the Punjab Irregular Force are briefly touched. The chapter further highlights British first contact with Waziristan, the subsequent military operations and their reactions, the Second Anglo-Afghan War, the Forward Policy, the creation of the Durand Line to the famous Frontier uprising of 1897-98.
Chapter three which is given the title “Post WWI to 1947” explains the two major issues confronted by the British Raj; one is the major developments in the Datta Khel region including the raising of Tochi Scouts in 1922 and the establishment of post in Khar Kamar etc.
The second important part of the chapter elaborates on the rise and resistance of Faqir of Ipi a Pakhtun icon, who was a constant headache for the British Raj for almost a decade. The British utilized thousands of troops and millions of pounds sterling to quash his resistance but in vain.
The fourth chapter titled “From Independence to the Rise of Talibanization begins with the Kashmir issue which developed immediately into a conflict between India and Pakistan. The participation of the tribesmen in this war is highlighted.
The chapter continues the story of Faqir of Ipi’s armed rebellion against the newly established state of Pakistan, his offensive in the area, and Pakistan’s military response till his death in 1960. The visit of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to North Waziristan, the reoccupation of Datta Khel Post, briefly highlighting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, its withdrawal, and the civil war which followed the inter-tribes clashes over Datta Khel Bazar ends the chapter. The title of the fifth chapter is “Talibanization & Military Operations” which explains the most important part of our recent history. Operation Enduring Freedom against the Taliban’s Government in Afghanistan, its fallout, the regrouping of various groups of Taliban in the tribal areas, the creation of Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan, and various operations launched by Pakistan Military such as Operation Khattai Killi, Operation Lasting Justice, Operation Village Maizer, Operation Rashide, Operation Sanzalai, the famous operation Zarb e Azb in 2014 and Operation High Tide.
The last portion contains the views of some tribal elders and information about prominent figures in the area. “Rebuilding- A New Face” is the sixth and last chapter. This chapter elaborates on the post-Operations challenges concerning the rehabilitation, reorganization, and reconstruction of the tribal areas, affected by military operations. The work done by the Pakistan Army and civilian authorities in education, health, communication, revival of the local culture, and celebration of National Days. Details of De-weaponization efforts as well as a list of fallen soldiers are mentioned.
The book also has detailed Annexures containing details of major events of Datta Khel, ambushes and Improvised Explosive Device attacks, Education, Health facilities, and population profile. The book ends with an index.
This book is based on first-hand data as the author has served in the tribal areas and in particular Waziristan as a Pakistan Military officer and administrator. This book was written while the author was serving in North Waziristan-Datta Khel on active duty.
The author being personally involved in the military operations and rehabilitation and reconstruction process vividly and vibrantly explained his experiences and acquaintance with the area.
The author has strived hard to write a good work to highlight the history, culture, society, and ethnography of the area especially the Datta Khel area of Waziristan.
What makes the book significant to be studied is that it has been written by a person having passion, curiosity, and a spirit of inquiry to know and share important official documents, his personal experience, and understanding of the area with others.
About Brigadier Sajid Muzaffar Chaudhry:
Brigadier Sajid Muzaffar Chaudhry came from a distinguished military family, joined the Pakistan Army in 1990, and has seen active military service spanning over 28 years. He has served extensively in the erstwhile Tribal Areas of Pakistan and has a special interest in the Pakistan Army’s operations related to the War against Terror in particular. Other than working on terrorist narratives and formulation of counter-narratives, he has worked on post-conflict Rehabilitation and Perception Management.
Brigadier Sajid Muzaffar Chaudhry is a graduate of Command and Staff College Quetta and National Defence University, Islamabad. He holds an M-Phil degree in Nuclear and Strategic Studies from National Defence University, a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, and a Master’s degree in Art & Science of Warfare.
