Re: What Is SSG?
PAF now has its Special Service wing.
About 1965 the ‘special operations’ were launched in a hurry without proper planning. Special Operations are special by nature and they require special planning, tactic and command. The launch of paratroopers behind enemy lines in 65 lacked all these elements. The GOC in charge was a non-special ops officer with no exposure to any such action. The SSG was also new, the then commandant tried to raise his concerns but was overridden by rank. The troops were ready to go, but were they readied with the right timing, quantity, swiftness, equipment and scale? No. So how could a unit take care of the logistics on its own, they are supposed to be taken care of by the supporting elements in command. Besides many in the chain of command actually even called it a suicidal mission before the drops. Unfortunately I cant recall names at the moment but I’m summarizing what I’ve gathered from the books written by officers, Generals and below as well as other analysts. You can read up on Gul Hassan, Shaukat Riza, Mitha, S G Mehdi, Cloughley among others.
Plus the mentality you talk about, yes, even the ‘sahabas’ regarded Ghazi and Shaheed with respect and honour, regardless of how successful any mission was. Any clues how revered the Ghazi’s and Shaheeds of Uhud are? The battle was lost due to clear failings on the part of Muslim troops’ coordination, tactic and execution, but those who took part gained the respect of many a lifetime. So hats off to that mentality. Plus no failure is a failure of the entire force, thats why if the top command blunders, rational thinkers don’t discredit the junior level brilliant soldiers and officers and don’t rid them of well deserved citations. That applies to any war, any battle.*