The act of killing (Army Operation in Swat)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Daily Times, Pakistan
May 15, 2009
INSIGHT: Ejaz Haider
One cannot dismiss the plight of anyone, even a single individual. But neither can the policy-maker sit back and allow a situation to get out of hand. So while the heart bleeds, as it must, the hand must wield what is necessary
Here is a dilemma. How would I report from Swat at this point? Here’s the intro:
“The military operation in Swat continues and security forces are notching successes against the Taliban extremists. Public opinion in the area seems to have turned against the Taliban and that fact, combined with good intelligence and effective planning and execution, has allowed the security forces to gain ground against the Taliban.”
Clear, concise, straight, simple, deadpan?
Is it really that simple? What, for instance, does a military operation entail? What does notching successes mean? What does gaining ground against the Taliban mean?
Use of the military means the use of force. Use of force means to capture, maim or kill. Shorn of any value judgement or without taking any partisan position on either side of an armed conflict, it means one human being using a lethal weapon to take the life of another human being.
Read more
May 15, 2009
INSIGHT: Ejaz Haider
One cannot dismiss the plight of anyone, even a single individual. But neither can the policy-maker sit back and allow a situation to get out of hand. So while the heart bleeds, as it must, the hand must wield what is necessary
Here is a dilemma. How would I report from Swat at this point? Here’s the intro:
“The military operation in Swat continues and security forces are notching successes against the Taliban extremists. Public opinion in the area seems to have turned against the Taliban and that fact, combined with good intelligence and effective planning and execution, has allowed the security forces to gain ground against the Taliban.”
Clear, concise, straight, simple, deadpan?
Is it really that simple? What, for instance, does a military operation entail? What does notching successes mean? What does gaining ground against the Taliban mean?
Use of the military means the use of force. Use of force means to capture, maim or kill. Shorn of any value judgement or without taking any partisan position on either side of an armed conflict, it means one human being using a lethal weapon to take the life of another human being.
Read more
Labels: Pakistan Army Operation, Swat, Taliban, Terrorism
posted @ 11:47 AM,
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