The Inside Story of Pakistan’s Secret Services
Caught in the Crossfire
Author: Naseem Akhtar Khan
Highlights
• The book represents an insight into Pakistan’s national security hypothesis from the perspective of an insider who has been part of its first line of defence, as an intelligence operative during past few eventful decades in the country’s history.
• Some extraordinary security related developments in the country and in the region during this period, aggravating Pakistan’s security concerns, have been discussed in details.
• Turmoil in Afghanistan since Russian invasion in 1979, incident of 9/11 and its aftermath, Indo-Afghan-US nexus, and emerging scenario after withdrawal of allied forces from Afghanistan have been deliberated upon with an authentic premise.
• Indo-Pak stand-off has been reflected upon at length.
• Some of Pakistan’s internal vulnerabilities which the author believes, supplement foreign threats to the country, have also been suitably highlighted. His views on an intriguing nexus of Pakistan’s external and internal enemies highlighting the intensity and direction of the crossfire that Pakistan security forces face, will be an eye-opening
account for many at home and abroad.
• Presently being an entrepreneur in the private security sector, the author has also shared his views about the key trends in worsening global security patterns that adversely affect the security of the citizenry and companies/ organisations in private sectors.
The author believes that all the international strategic maneuverings in the region mostly rely on information that is entirely fabricated and portrayed by Pakistan’s adversaries to harm its interests. In his opinion, knowing a realistic picture of Pakistan and the Pakistan
NEW BOOK RELEASE
RRP: £25
ISBN: 9781036105075
224 PAGES · HARDBACK
PUBLISHED: JULY 2024
PEN & SWORD MILITARY
Author photographs can be made available upon request. army in its true perspective, is important not only for people inside the country but also for the international community so that they may pursue their relationships and cooperation in the region based on ground realities. Considering his personal experiences in the field of security and counterintelligence operations during the last four decades, a virtuous material for analysts to ponder history
through an authentic premise and predict futuristic security scenarios based on a realistic perspective, he thought of writing this book.
The story of the power play in South Asia by the regional and international power brokers will be a fruitful read for the strategists to contemplate future journey through the changing world order more realistically.To present his arguments with facts and figures in a cohesive manner, the author has presented the narrative in shape of his lifelong experiences suitably interrelated, taking full measures of the individuals, institutions and the organisations that made a strong impression on his life. During the process, an effort has been made to take the readers along the same curve he followed so that they can clearly grasp the dynamics that drive the life of a Pakistani soldier.
The study concludes with some thought-provoking arguments for the people to contemplate.
About the Author Brigadier Naseem’s association with the Pakistan Army and it’s premier intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), spreads over four decades (1969-2010). Besides full-time regimental soldiering in an elite Self-Propelled Artillery regiment of Pakistan army, he served with ISI for more than two decades. His career in the army and intelligence grew side by side all along these years, giving him ample opportunities to experience the best in both the fields during peace as well as in combat operations.
Brigadier Naseem’s career in the field of Security and intelligence started as a field intelligence operative assigned to highly sensitive roles in the organisation and gradually grew in rank and appointments to shoulder higher responsibilities at national and international levels. Incidentally, his multiple tenures in ISI coincided with some
extraordinary security related developments in the region, with far-reaching fallouts on Pakistan’s national security hypothesis. Most significant amongst these major events, have been the Russian invasion of Afghanistan (1979 – 1989), the Afghan civil war (1990 – 2001) and subsequently, the incident of 9/11 which completely altered the international security patterns, particularly in South Asia. It is important to note that these developments in Afghanistan had direct bearing on Pakistan’s national security, and therefore, had dragged its complete security apparatus, in this theatre of war. Handling of unending security issues with India has been amongst his routine areas of responsibilities.
Brigadier Naseem is considered as one of the few hardcore intelligence operatives known as authentic witnesses to some of the most critical military developments in the region during past few decades. Fighting the war as an invisible warrior for nearly 23 years; making surreptitious break-ins, operating under a tornado of live bullets, sneaking out required intelligence from enemies strong holds while denying the same to the opponents, has been his story that makes him exclusive to listen. Additionally, a golden opportunity to serve Pakistan as a diplomat abroad for almost three and a half years in Dubai, helped him broaden his outlook on major geo-strategic and geopolitical manoeuvrings in the region and at international levels, particularly in the field of security. This opening also helped him to understand how international relationships are built, maintained and even exploited by the vested interests, to gain the benefit of the circumstances.
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Brigadier Naseem’s post-retirement venture in Private Security industry in Dubai, UAE as an entrepreneur for last about nine years, has been a great support and temptation for him to successfully continue his security-related work.
The book by itself, is a reflection of his strong professional background in security and intelligence work, with an absorbing narration of military history of South Asia, with particular reference to the security challenges for Pakistan.
Caught in the Crossfire
