Originally posted by Double Edge
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- Any guerilla campaing needs a base. A safe haven from the enemy.
- This base are provides it a safe retreat, a logistical base for arms and ammunition, medical treatment etc.
- A training area, a storage area, a launch pad.
- Without a safe haven/ base, a guerilla campaign is doomed to failure (LTTE was doomed the day they lost their bases in South India).
VC had their bases in North Vietnam and before that the Vietminh had their bases in China.
The Afghan Mujahideen of the 1980s had Pakistan as their safe haven.
Today Pakistan is the safe haven for the Taliban. Where do you think they are getting ammunition from? These dont grow on trees and neither do the bazaars of Peshawar sell them.
RDX/ PEK, rocket propelled grenades, HMG, and rifle ammo are being supplied to them by the Pak Army/ ISI. Where do you think the money for the rations comes?...they have to feed thousands of hungry Talibs.
One requires a minimum of INR 20 million per annum to feed and arm a group of 1000 men per annum (approx USD 330,000 with the exchange rate INR 60 = 1 $).
The Taliban have a manpower strenght of about 40,000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taliban_insurgency)
It would take about USD 13.2 million per annum to feed and arm these bands of men. The funds needed clearly show state patronage and assistance, in an organised and sustained manner. Otherwise 40,000 armed men cannot arm and feed themselves on their own.
Without Pakistan, Taliban is dead, they have to take orders from the PA Generals.
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