Baitullah, RAW & Raman

By Zaheerul Hassan

According to the media reports on August 25 2009, two commanders of the Taliban Hakimullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman called The Associated Press and acknowledged that the terrorists' top leader Baitullah Mehsud, was killed by a US missile strike. It was the first time the terrorists acknowledged their chief’s death. Mehsud was targeted by CIA drone (pilot less aircraft) in a missile strike on August 5, 2005 in his father-in-law’s house Malik Ikramuddin (father of Mehsud’s second wife), in Zangarha area, 15km north-east of Ladha in South Waziristan.  The militants also said that Baitullah Mehsud died only on Sunday, Hakimullah Mehsud further stressed while talking to a British news agency that Mehsud was unconscious ever since he was hit and expired in the state of unconsciousness.

It is mentionable here that Baitullah Mehsud was the chief of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and accepted the responsibility for several sabotage activities across Pakistan. He also has claimed responsibility for the June 9 bombing of the Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar, and the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore earlier this year. The arrested terrorists in the month of July also admitted that they were directed by Baitullah Mehsud to target Sri Lanka team and Manawan Police Training Academy Lahore. They also confessed during investigations that they had been trained under the supervision of Indian Instructors ats terrorists training Camp Kandar Afghanistan.  Baitullah also threatened suicide bombings in Pakistani cities in retaliation to the army's recent offensive to wrestle back the Swat Valley from another wing of the Taliban. The reliable sources have also confirmed that Baitullah was being funded by India and had strong connections with infamous Indian agency RAW. He used to carry out the terrorists actions on the behest of his Indian mentors.

His linkage with RAW could be seen through after reading the analysis of former RAW agent Mr. B. Raman regarding Baitullah death.

 B. Raman rather prematurely disclosed Indian intelligence plan in his article “Who is the mole in their midst” while commenting on the targetting of Baitullah Mehsud on August 5, 2009. The said article was published in an Intelligence brief on August 9, 2009. The author not only confirmed death of Baitullah but also indicated the likely involvement of Ikramuddin (father-in-law of Baitullah) in murdering of his son-in-law. The same father in law along with nephew and brother-in-law of Baitullah have been abducted and murdered just after couple of days. Reports reveal that he has probably been abducted by RAW planted Taliban just for the purpose of spreading fear in the locals. Rumours are also rife in the area that so far the abductees (Ikramuddin party) have not been killed and waiting their fate.  Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that the Taliban have killed Baitullah Mehsud’s father-in-law and his other family members on spying charges. Talking to the BBC Urdu Service, Federal interior minister, Rehman Malik stated that the Taliban had killed Baitullah Mehsud’s father-in-law Ikramuddin, his son Ziauddin, brother Saeedullah and nephew Iqbal Mehsud on charges of spying for the US forces in Afghanistan.

The question arises how RAW’s former agent came to know the exact details of the operation beforehand and also alleged Ikramuddin for assisting in assassination of Baitullah. His pre established analysis provided the chance to pro Taliban late chief to murder father-in-law of Baitullah. The noteworthy point here is that B. Raman initiated his report so early when even Pakistani top brass, masses and media anchors were not sure of the death of Baitullah. The narrations of Baitullah death and alleging his father-in-law for his targeting have been done in indecent haste.  In this entire episode B.Raman was clearly having some clue being former agent of notorious agency RAW. Raman never realized that he was going to spill the beans by initiating his pre-conceived analysis just after two days of strike when none of the government (USA, Pakistan & Afghanistan) confirmed the death of militant chief.

The other point of view could be that Raman deliberately aired the story on the direction of his masters. In this way RAW might be planning to provoke revenge in the Mehsud tribe against the government. Thus we can say airing of story by B.Raman in a very short span of time betrayed Indian designs of fueling the on going terrorism in FATA. We can also say that the real moles in the midst in the case of Baitullah’s targeting are RAW and Raman. In fact B, Raman is quite notorious for constantly fabricating stories against Pakistan, its security and Intelligence agencies and nuclear programme. He is on the pay role of CIA and RAW even after exiting the regular job in his parent agency.

Baitullah Mehsud was heading force of 15000 Taliban in Waziristan area. He used to be fully supported by RAAW, RAAM and anti Pakistan Bloch leaders. As per credible sources India has provided training to his terrorists’ army and around U.S. $ 25 million to launch a spectacular attack on a major Pakistani nuclear site. The purpose of attack was to stage the situation in which western and community should be forced to take physical steps against nuclear programme and impose sanctions against Pakistan. However Pakistan security Forces and ISI defeated adversary desire and plot.  USA also acknowledges that Pakistan nuclear programme is in safe hands now. Mr., Raman type personalities should ask her government to take actions to make safer Indian nuclear programme. So far 152 Uranium theft cases have been registered. The highest level and senior scientists have been of apprehended, murdered or found involved in nuclear smuggling.  In short global community and media should force India to stop conspiring against neighbouring countries. Indian creditability has become questionable after repeated and changing stance over regional issues. The burning issues like Kashmir, Indo-Sino border dispute, Bangladesh conflict with India over Buglair Dam and border, Nepal–India clash over energy, interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs cannot be resolved bilaterally because of poor history of New Delhi. Pakistan always tried to resolve issues with India bilaterally but no encouraging step has been taken by her. All confidence building measures multiplied by with zero because of none serious attitude of Indian leadership. RAW always remained busy in storming terrorism in Pakistan. She always supported separatist movements. Now it is an open secret that India is supporting BLA in Balochistan and Taliban elements in FATA and Swat area. In my opinion India has to display positive approach towards settlements of regional issues. For establishing permanent regional peace mediation of super powers is very vital and essential because of irresponsible attitude of India.