State of the operation
Friday, May 22, 2009
Editorial, The News International, Pakistan
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Pakistan military appears to be closer than ever to a decisive success in Buner and Dir. Key areas still under Taliban control in both districts have been taken back. The militant casualty toll continues to climb, with the ISPR putting the number of those killed in Swat since the operation began at over 1,000. Some 80 militants are reported to have died in the latest operation in Buner, 200 in Dir.
There have been successes in the Swat valley too, though fighting remains more intense than in other areas with some of it spilling on to the streets of towns and cities. The follies of permitting the Taliban to establish such a firm hold in these locations is now obvious. But there are positive signs: In the Kalam area local people are reported to have risen up against the Taliban, tiring of their harassment. Perhaps this trend will increase. There is also another reality. It is clear people remain terrorized by the Taliban and anxious about a situation in which they may, some months down the road, return to a position of power. Locals in part of Swat, warned by the military not to shelter the Taliban or face action as their accomplices, complain of being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. There is still a lack of solid conviction about the intent of authorities. This is apparent at refugee camps, where IDPs remain fearful of Taliban 'spies' in their midst. The apprehensions are visible too in the email sent to the BBC by a young woman in Mingora, who made allegations of collusion between intelligence agencies and the militants.
So often have people seen a half-hearted action against the Taliban, so many 'stops and starts' have they witnessed, that they still lack faith that this time, the operation is in earnest. There is a need to persuade them of this. In war, a great part of the battle is psychological. All successful military strategists are aware of this. Building in people a mindset of belief that the Taliban will be gone for good can play a part in ensuring this happens. So far, in some parts of Swat at least, the militants continue to act as masters. There have been stories of attempts to force families to wed daughters to their men, of the taking away of money and food from homes. Lifting the sense of fear these men cause will act to weaken them, to loosen their grip and to demoralize their forces. It must therefore be incorporated as one part of the full effort. For the present, the nation stands fully behind its armed forces. Tears have been shed for those killed while defending their country against the Taliban. This spirit must be built on and taken further. Eventually it will play a big part in the defeat of the Taliban and in the reclaiming mental space from them. This in many ways is as important as seizing back the physical territory that they still hold.
Source
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Pakistan military appears to be closer than ever to a decisive success in Buner and Dir. Key areas still under Taliban control in both districts have been taken back. The militant casualty toll continues to climb, with the ISPR putting the number of those killed in Swat since the operation began at over 1,000. Some 80 militants are reported to have died in the latest operation in Buner, 200 in Dir.
There have been successes in the Swat valley too, though fighting remains more intense than in other areas with some of it spilling on to the streets of towns and cities. The follies of permitting the Taliban to establish such a firm hold in these locations is now obvious. But there are positive signs: In the Kalam area local people are reported to have risen up against the Taliban, tiring of their harassment. Perhaps this trend will increase. There is also another reality. It is clear people remain terrorized by the Taliban and anxious about a situation in which they may, some months down the road, return to a position of power. Locals in part of Swat, warned by the military not to shelter the Taliban or face action as their accomplices, complain of being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. There is still a lack of solid conviction about the intent of authorities. This is apparent at refugee camps, where IDPs remain fearful of Taliban 'spies' in their midst. The apprehensions are visible too in the email sent to the BBC by a young woman in Mingora, who made allegations of collusion between intelligence agencies and the militants.
So often have people seen a half-hearted action against the Taliban, so many 'stops and starts' have they witnessed, that they still lack faith that this time, the operation is in earnest. There is a need to persuade them of this. In war, a great part of the battle is psychological. All successful military strategists are aware of this. Building in people a mindset of belief that the Taliban will be gone for good can play a part in ensuring this happens. So far, in some parts of Swat at least, the militants continue to act as masters. There have been stories of attempts to force families to wed daughters to their men, of the taking away of money and food from homes. Lifting the sense of fear these men cause will act to weaken them, to loosen their grip and to demoralize their forces. It must therefore be incorporated as one part of the full effort. For the present, the nation stands fully behind its armed forces. Tears have been shed for those killed while defending their country against the Taliban. This spirit must be built on and taken further. Eventually it will play a big part in the defeat of the Taliban and in the reclaiming mental space from them. This in many ways is as important as seizing back the physical territory that they still hold.
Source
Labels: Militants, Swat Operation, Taliban, Terrorism
posted @ 12:19 PM,
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