Military might
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Editorial, The News International, Pakistan
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The strategically important mountain resort of Malam Jabba has been seized from the militants. The ISPR says Mingora could be cleared of the Taliban within a week or so. Collaboration of this has come in the comments made by Maulana Fazalullah that his men have been asked to stop fighting in the principal city of Swat to avoid inflicting suffering on civilians. This indeed is ironic; in different circumstances the comments would even have been amusing given that the militants have throughout their campaign used non-combatants as human shields and deliberately taken up posts within heavily populated areas, so that maximum casualties are inflicted when these locations are bombed. They have then blamed the security apparatus for killing innocent men, women and children.
The news of the liberation of Malam Jabba is psychologically significant. The resort, with its once pristine alpine forests and ski slopes, is one of the best known in the area. The destruction of the militant training camp located here also means there have been important gains made in taking it. Unfortunately, there have also been civilian injuries, possible deaths and the destruction of homes. We all hope that not long in the future, we can celebrate a final triumph over the militants and mark what would be a historic day, somewhat on the pattern of the events seen recently in Sri Lanka. But even as we inch a little closer by the day to this goal, preparing now to take on the Taliban in Waziristan, there is a need to consider other matters. As yet there has been no announcement of plans to rebuild houses destroyed in bombing or to compensate families for damage to lands, livestock and crops. This is a huge source of tension for people in the IDP camps. Many wonder how they are to manage in the months following the fighting, given their dependence on what they grow. News of shattered houses is also drifting back to many who have fled from relatives still based in Swat.
To keep up morale and ensure we can build a united front against militants, preventing any attempt at a future resurgence, a long-term recovery plan for Swat and other areas needs to be announced now. The militant move to pull back from Mingora suggests they may be thinking of further action at some point later, after troop numbers have been reduced in the area. This after all is a game they are experienced in. Our best hope against such tactics is to ensure local people are ready to fight them off. This they will be able to accomplish most readily if the sense of security and peace of mind that they currently lack is restored to them by easing fears about food security and survival. As one part of the strategy of war, the bid to offer them some reassurance and indeed some role in the future should begun now so that the victory achieved by our soldiers can be safeguarded and a return to combat in the months ahead avoided.
Source
The strategically important mountain resort of Malam Jabba has been seized from the militants. The ISPR says Mingora could be cleared of the Taliban within a week or so. Collaboration of this has come in the comments made by Maulana Fazalullah that his men have been asked to stop fighting in the principal city of Swat to avoid inflicting suffering on civilians. This indeed is ironic; in different circumstances the comments would even have been amusing given that the militants have throughout their campaign used non-combatants as human shields and deliberately taken up posts within heavily populated areas, so that maximum casualties are inflicted when these locations are bombed. They have then blamed the security apparatus for killing innocent men, women and children.
The news of the liberation of Malam Jabba is psychologically significant. The resort, with its once pristine alpine forests and ski slopes, is one of the best known in the area. The destruction of the militant training camp located here also means there have been important gains made in taking it. Unfortunately, there have also been civilian injuries, possible deaths and the destruction of homes. We all hope that not long in the future, we can celebrate a final triumph over the militants and mark what would be a historic day, somewhat on the pattern of the events seen recently in Sri Lanka. But even as we inch a little closer by the day to this goal, preparing now to take on the Taliban in Waziristan, there is a need to consider other matters. As yet there has been no announcement of plans to rebuild houses destroyed in bombing or to compensate families for damage to lands, livestock and crops. This is a huge source of tension for people in the IDP camps. Many wonder how they are to manage in the months following the fighting, given their dependence on what they grow. News of shattered houses is also drifting back to many who have fled from relatives still based in Swat.
To keep up morale and ensure we can build a united front against militants, preventing any attempt at a future resurgence, a long-term recovery plan for Swat and other areas needs to be announced now. The militant move to pull back from Mingora suggests they may be thinking of further action at some point later, after troop numbers have been reduced in the area. This after all is a game they are experienced in. Our best hope against such tactics is to ensure local people are ready to fight them off. This they will be able to accomplish most readily if the sense of security and peace of mind that they currently lack is restored to them by easing fears about food security and survival. As one part of the strategy of war, the bid to offer them some reassurance and indeed some role in the future should begun now so that the victory achieved by our soldiers can be safeguarded and a return to combat in the months ahead avoided.
Source
Labels: Army Operation, Militants, Swat Operation, Taliban, Terrorism
posted @ 9:11 AM,
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