Chemical Warfare and the WP
There is a lot of talk here and there that the operation on Lal Masjid involved the use of a chemical weapon, by the name of White Phosphorus (WP). Initially appeared in Teeth Maestro’s blog a post that referred to the use of WP as a chemical weapon. Another famous blog that jumped to conclude, although skeptically, that it was a chemical used by the Pakistan Army, called the White Phosphorus.
Teeth’s post details how Aaj TV’s Talat Hussain on Live with Talat found out it was WP. I hadn’t seen the show myself but from what was posted, it was said,
On 12th July, AAJ Tv boradcasted a program of Live with Talat in which Talat Hussain visited Jamia Hafsa. While touring the bullet ridden compound a number of military personal hovered around, at a certain point Talat Hussain asked an accompanying Army personal about all the evidence of smoke around the area asking, “Why is there so much smoke?”, the solider replied “WP”, Talat put another question “Please explain WP?”, the solider answered “White Phosphorus.”
That gives one a fair bit of idea of what was being asked. A little investigation into the matter reveals that WP is not generally considered a chemical weapon, but the unclear boundary that it falls near renders it controversial, sometimes. However, it is a conventional weapon used by major military wings all over the world.
Wikipedia explains Chemical Warfare as,
Chemical warfare is warfare (and associated military operations) using the toxic properties of chemical substances to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy.
Chemical warfare is different from the use of conventional weapons or nuclear weapons because the destructive effects of chemical weapons are not primarily due to any explosive force.
It further on explains what classes of chemical weapon agents come under definition of Chemical Warfare. It says in it’s footnote,
There are other chemicals used militarily that are not technically considered to be ‘chemical weapon agents,’ such as:
- Incendiary or explosive chemicals (such as napalm, extensively used by the United States in Vietnam, or dynamite) because their destructive effects are primarily due to fire or explosive force, and not direct chemical action.
Hence anything that has explosive power is not a chemical weapon. Additionally, incendiary weapons are NOT chemical weapons. As wikipedia would describe WP,
White phosphorus is a flare / smoke producing incendiary weapon, or smoke-screening agent, made from a common allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus.
WP however causes burns that eat up the skin and flesh, gruesome yes, but war is not persian carpets and pillow talk. Anyways, as one moves forward to incendiary devices, in the same wikipedia one learns,
Incendiary devices or incendiary bombs are bombs designed to start fires or destroy sensitive equipment using materials such as napalm, thermite, chlorine trifluoride, or white phosphorus.
Yet since WP was used inside the compound, in close quarters, one can image that the user of the weapon is at an equal danger of it’s effects as the one being targeted. Hence, the ’smoke’ that Talat Hussain saw as of WP being used a smoke screen. The smoke producing property of WP smoke grenades is quite an interesting read. Pakistan Ordinance factory produces WP smoke grenades, pictured above.
All of this research clarifies my doubts about it being a chemical weapon or was used as one. Hence, it’s usage is not ‘chemical warfare.’
Another simple approach that one could use is to look up all the restricted reagents and chemicals that are listed in the First, Second and Third schedule of the Chemical Weapon’s Conventions. A further listing of chemical weapons is also provided.
You can expect anything from them. They got hardened by killing innocent women and children in Bajour, Waziristan etc. Now they have turned their guns [and WP] on their cities. Bravo!
By the way, one shouldn’t confuse WP with WordPress.
Kashif
July 18, 2007 at 11:53 am
WP – is indeed considered by many military personnel just another weapon but what is shocking is the inhumanity of the assault, its almost like going in to attack being lead by a flame throwing squadron on people to burn people inside. Being burnt alive is the worst kinds of deaths, one at that moment would have rather wish to have been shot in the head. Even hardened criminals are not burnt alive at execution but prepared extensively for a sudden death.
Let White Phosphorus be legal or illegal this is utterly inhumane. An eight day stand off definitely prepared the Army for a carefully planned assault and yet they went guns blazing – no tear gas, no rubber bullets, no stun grenades. just an Hitler or Iraq style extermination.
I also feel this issue has been carefully shoved under the carpet – no body count, no clarification on how they dies. the entire burial was like a quick cover up to a massacre.
To be honest had if Talat Hussain not asked the specific question I and you would have lived in oblivion a simple mention by the army personnel suggests that he too did not deem it as chemical warfare, for him it was just a means to an end (operation completed)
Teeth Maestro
July 18, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Kashif, indeed, they have somewhat turned into monsters. I fear the days of those bloody 70’s returning, but one can always hope for the positive. And yes WP = White Phosphorus
Teeth, I agree that killing someone is in first place not a good idea. And if the situation arises, one should always use instant death mechanisms instead of these slow painful deaths. Yes, finesse and subtlety are still not a part of our Special Ops groups. Sadly. Like any other ordinary citizen or servant of the nation, the Army should also be put under examination of it’s operations on a public forum. That would instill in them the fear that they are under some check, or some scrutiny.
Phil
July 18, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Phil,
I have been reading all the blogs related to this incidenat, and trying to gauge opinion, and had not given my input. I have to comend you on your blog above. Very well done, on a very unbiased assement.
I think what happened was sad and unfortunate, and what is going to happen and how it is going to affect Pakistan, would be even worse. I am not going to blame any one entity for the events and the outcome. But I do get distressed that we as a people do nothing but “beat the line” (lakear peat tay rehtay hain). And I guess I am tired of that.
I am also distressed with the mockery of the faith made by these so called religious figures, and the keepers of the faith. Their tunnel vision is going to destroy Pakistan. From what has been happening I would say, they would not rest till they topple the Mushraf govt., have the Nuclear program destroyed by some external entity, and perhaps have the country split into multiple pieces. I fail to understand, that these so called leaders, may that be Mushraf’s govt. or the religious revolutionist, do not have a sense of responsiblity towards the people. I am also disappinted to see that among oursleves, religion, faith or belief, whatever you may want to call it, has become everyone ‘keep’, and they use it abuse it as they please.
The direction we are headed is a very dark one.
twomanyface
July 20, 2007 at 2:21 am
While I believe in humanistic values as a Muslim, the myopic vision of these religious leaders pisses me off too. But now is not the time to lose our cool and let anger get the best of us.
What is best of the people, the people know that best themselves. No one leader, no one revolutionist can say what is good for the people until and unless the ENTIRE NATION gathers around one flag bearer who is unbiased and unselfish in all matters. I am not asking for a saint or an angel. But a leader that is chosen by the people themselves to lead them to glory. A leader that values lives of not only his nation, his creed (zaat), his region, but of the entire world.
Sadly, we as leaders and citizens of Pakistan have failed in strengthening the very institutions that protect us and our freedoms, instead given in to the devils and demons that advocate us to mis-use it on a daily basis.
We as Muslims have forgotten what Islam teaches us first! ‘Humanity!’ All human-beings are from Adam, and Adam was made of earth. Thanks for coming by, keep the faith, and make Islam something not to feared, but to be embraced. Ameen.
Phil
July 20, 2007 at 2:32 am
Good research Phil, WP is a common component of flares and smoke grenades. It keeps them from going out, it’s not really meant to burn people etc.
Thanos
July 22, 2007 at 3:22 am
Forgot to mention why WP is used — it continues burning even if it gets wet. I seriously doubt they were using the “anti-personel” variety since those munitions have historically been found to cause more problems to operators than damage to enemies, and if you want to use flame weapons, there are certainly more effective ones than WP.
Situations that might call for actual use of white phosphorous munition: if you wanted to burn something that is damp, like a dock, or heavy jungle, or if you want to create a very large area of smoke (like across a mile-wide battlefield)
Thanos
July 22, 2007 at 3:32 am
Thank you Thanos for the added information on the subject.
Phil
July 22, 2007 at 5:22 am
Salam
I think there is no need of giving comments there. We only see and obey what Allah has said in Holy Quran and Hazrat Muhammad S.A.W. has said in Hadith.
We are saying abt the image of Islam but what Allah has said in Holy Quran, Surah-Al-Maeda which meant;
“The honour of any person is in the hand of ALLAH the Almighty”
We are saying abt that no muslim can revolt against his Ruler:
Can anyone tell me why Hazrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanmbal has denied that Govt.? Why he says that Holy Quran is not a creature of Allah but His Book?
Why Sheikh-ul-Islam Hazrat Muhammad bin Wahab was beaten by all people even in every village?
In all times many Ulema-e-Islam was become the part of govt. but only few Ulema-e-Haq pointed out any wrong policy of Govt.
If we see in our History under the saying of Allah and His Prophet Peace be upon Him, every Ulema-e-Haq who has said against the Govt. has got severe punishments from Govt. and People said them as Rebellions in all time.
Thats why Hazrat Muhammad S.A.W. said(Which Meant), “To Obey Islam is the most difficult thing in the world near Qyamah”.
If anyone of you have studied the history of Muslims we come to know every person of MUSLIM STATE has the right to say and guide his Ruler abt the true teaching of Islam. Even Hazrat UMER-bin-KHATTAB (RA) had guided Hazrat ABU BAKKAR (RA) in case of punishment of Thief. A simple person had Guide Hazrat AMEER MA’AVIAH abt Jihad against Rome.
Hazrat MUHAMMAD S.A.W. has said “He is not Muslim who consider my Ulema-e-Deen as poor”.
Today all the predictions of Hazrat MUHAMMAD(S.A.W.) abt Qyamah is almost complete.
First we have to obey Islam first then anyone else.
The person who quote the Ayat of Sura-e-Nisa:
“Obey your Hakims”
If we see the context of this Ayat, we come to know many persons come in this term of Hakims e.g. Ulema, Rulers, Parents etc. But (Sorry) many People donot know the Main Hakim is ALLAH the Almighty. From this Ayat we have to follow the Principles of Islam not principles of any Christian Constitution.
The Persons who said, “We got bad Image of Islam”. For those I only say we have to see our History, Hazrat Abbu Bakkar(RA) have said, “Allah and His creatures disrespect the nations who Denies Jihad”. Hazrat Muhammad(S.A.W.) have said, “If you want success and want to Rule the Whole World, the only simple key is to Obey Allah the Almighty and Me (La Ilaha Illa ALLAH Muhammad ar Rasulullah)”.
For those Fundamentalists and extremists persons, Allah the Almighty says,
“Follow each and every principle of Islam”
In the Last I only want to quote only one Ayat of Sura-Al-Imran, (Ayat no. 144, which meant)
“If Hazrat Muhammad(S.A.W.) is died or slain, you will stop following Islam. The one who did this will never Harm Allah”.
If you want to become a GOOD MUSLIM OF BEST IMAGE, You have to Follow Islam completely.
Take Care and Obey Allah the Almighty,
Allah Hafiz.
Fi Amaanillah
From Muslim Brother and Student of Islam
Muhammad Saifullah Siddiqui
Muhammad Saifullah Siddiqui
July 30, 2007 at 10:57 am
I personaly visited the site of Jamia Hafsa Complex with dozens of local and foreign journalists, the day Govt opened the Masjid for jumma prayer and hundreds of neighbourhood people were alos there. People were continiously digging the wrackage and showing the bones, hairs, RPGS peices used by the Army. I my self noticed that fans, refrigeretors or all metallic articles were found burned and melted. It was very clear that building was set ablazed or extreme heat was produced by the fire. To me it was not due to an ordinary fire that melted the iron rods, refrigerators or fans. I hope that Supreme Court of Pakistan or International Human Right organizations may investigate this severe violation of human rights by the dictator and his party i.e Military.
shahzad
August 29, 2007 at 7:52 pm