Chief of Army Staff Gen Kayani has called for ‘precision strikes to avoid collateral damage even at the expense of taking risks’ in Swat. But will this strategy work?
Air raids, especially those conducted by coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan almost always cause widespread civilian casualties. Given the chequered history of precision strikes, can it be said that the Pakistan army will do any better? Also, the army chief has said that the overall success of the operations in Swat and adjoining regions depend on three areas: ‘conduct of military operations, minimizing collateral damage and correctly managing IDPs’.
So far the armed forces have claimed killing more than 750 militants, though the figure is yet to be independently verified. The Taliban claim that only 15 of its fighters have lost their lives. Meanwhile, thousands of refugees have been pouring out of the areas affected by the full-scale military operation. According to some estimates, the figure of the Internally Displaced Persons has already crossed a staggering one million.
Dawn.com invites readers to debate the Swat strategy and suggest what’s right or wrong with the ongoing action.
It’s either Pakistan or the militants. One or the other will survive. A protracted long drawn out confrontation will give the militants creeping ascendency and eventual victory and is the most likely outcome. To ensure victory the Pakistani Military has to throw everything it has behind the effort and not worry too much about it’s Eastern front. As an Indian, I don’t believe India is intersted in fighting a war with Pakistan. India’s priorities lie in progressing economically and expends most of its energy and resources towards that effort.
This is probably Pakistan’s best and last opportunity to rid themselves of the cancer eating at its innards. I hope they sieze it with both hands. Go pakistan!! I want you to prevail because I don’t want those terrorists at our doorstep.
The people of Swat/Malakand are hard pressed between the fanatics and the army. Both are ruthless, and in the process violate human rights. I beleive in the absence of clear objectives,Swat operation will not make a big change in the life of the people. I have not seen any signs of change in the thinking of our ruling elite, both military and civilian, which could reassure that this operation is being conducted with ut most care in mind of the residents of Swat Area.
We have no one to blame for this situation but our leadership. The act of allowing the taliban control in the first place has lead to such bloodshed.
Had they never allowed the taliban such freedom, they would have saved Pakistan a lot of face.
the military on its part is doing what military does best…. swift action and no questions asked.
we just hope that in the end all ends well and the taliban are forever rid from our beautiful land.
How can one say if success has been achieved or not, to what degree and against what clearcut goals or milestones.
Knowing that the operation carried out is out of sight of the world, to see a clear picture of what has the Army been doing so far in terms of killing the militants and / or civillians and how is it differentiating between the two. We will see the claim of their success in the facts & figures in manageing the IDPs. The IDPs being the outcome of war becomes the Army’s responsibility and need to be handled by them. As they are the only ones trained to handle such disasters and have the required headcount too. Get Set Go and don’t stop till everybody says BRAVO.
Once and for all the government and the army needs to be truthfull of thier handling of the crisis. There is no doubt that Talibanization need not only be stopped but eliminated from the future of Pakistan. Army should back up their claims, so general awam can see the actual outcome, similarly the govt should take good care of the IDP’s. Treat them as guests and not IDP’s. They are here in this situation because the govt and the army let Talibanization go on for too long.
I don’t understand what people really want. When Army was silent, you were accusing her of not taking any action. Now that Pak Army has taken decisive action against the militants, your focus tilts towards this swat operation and all of a sudden you become conscious of people’s rights.
Yes, anyone who takes up arms against the government needs to be dealt with power if they do not like to compromise. If they like to force the writ on the common people then they should provide clean surrounding, water and security. The action is justified if the following is in place at the minimum:
1) Avoid collateral damage.
2) Make proper arrangements for the displaced. Not only limited to tents and food but proper quality education facilities at camps must be provided.
3) Most importantly, avoid the return of the dangerous people by circling them so they do not escape to the mountains and return at a later time to strike at will.
Abandoning the peace deal under US pressure just a few days after signing it was not a good move. Over the long run the peace deal would have weakened the trouble makers and strengthened those who want peace and tranquality in the region.
If Pakistan is to re-establish its control, the government must assure that it works for the interest of its people and it should not appear to be working under foreign pressure.
Round up all these so called clergies, get them reformed untill they believe that God is mercyfull. Only evil people think of killing or barbaric punishment to any human being. This is the only way to kill eradicate this evil ideology which has been imposed on young siblings. Readers must use basic common sense that these so called clergies who wear religious uniform are evil in their heart if they show little mercy towards fellow human beings and we must oppose with very strong voice. All human being has right to have spiritual connection with god and these clergies has not right to take away this personel connection with God.
any military action will have its consequences, no one wants to do it for fun, and only if deemed absolutely essential.Pakistan has been forced into this otherwise it could have damaging to its own existence.
Nation is supporting this action and I hope that it will be done diligently, and rip out the menace and havoc created by Talibans-who are ruthless when it comes to human rights.I fully support this act, though it feel for innocent lives lost and displaced people.
I think with the military operation going on, our prestigious democratic government should and must invest on ‘education’ and employment oppurtunities for the poor people of Pakistan, (for which PPP stands for) so that our future generation arent forced to take the only chance of getting ‘kapra,roti, makan, by joining Taleban.
The jihad situation that we have today in our country is the result of generations of needy pakistani citizens who have been deprived from the facilities of basic education, food, shelter and clothing. So, these fighters are infact the victim of economic distress, they dont have a choice to select what to do, so they do whatever they are offered in return of food and some money.
Actual target should be focussed on capturing master minds and building an infrastructure for our society where citizens have choices to choose what they want to become, not what they have to under stringent circumstances.
That can only come through EDUCATION!
I understand the spirit of Gen. Kyani’s message. I agree complelety that the success of the operation mainly depends on how the IDP’s will be managed. People of Swat and area want a complete clean up, thats for sure. They have been forced to leave everything behind them. The journey has been and still is uncertain and extremely draining for them. They are the soul of the country! The govt., NGO’s and civil society should make a sincere effort to provide them shelter during this painful transition and provide complete assistance for rehablitation back in Swat and area. Ministry of Info or generally, media should promote the courageous sacrifices of IDP’s to keep the morale of the nation up beat. Blogs, video posts, posters in the city, public announcements on radio and TV. etc are a few to list.
These people are bleeding emotionally. There has to be a silver lining for them and most importanly to Quaid-e- Azam’s Pakistan. Pakistan Zidabad!
If the casualties are only 15 than we are getiing no where. Even 750 is not enough in app. 3 weeks, it should be lot more. What are we waiting for?
i think govt has taken a long awited decision. regarding the army’s capability to go for precision strikes to my opinion they have a better past in this regard. and are very well aware of the consequences of not doing so. Kiyani has proved to be very professional as he initially made the sufi Muhammad politically vulnerable and then showing his real face to the people.this has isolated the Taliban from any real spport they ever enjoyed, the mov of IDPs is also the step to avoid colletrale damage and will help our soldiers.
We must all come out to help our brethren from Swat they are making a grat sacrifice for the survival of country.
That it it is required is not in doubt, but sad nevertheless.
Precision strikes? With F16’s, Helicopters, and Howitzers?
A gurellia force has no HQ, nor does it sit in one place.
As for casulaties, who knows.
I hope the Army prevails, but it would be help their credibility if they rein in the pronouncements from ISPR.
Taliban and the islamists are a menace that need to be taken out. it will hurt in short term but will be good in long run.army is doing good work. keep it up jawans.
I think war is going on right track. More important is to handle people being moving from Swat and other war areas. If the government managed to handle these people than we will win this war, other wise it can go reverse and we might lose this war and having unbearable consequences.
It’s painful but necessary to crush anti government element. Religious figures should tell public true face of Islam so that public particularly young people don’t fall victims to so called Jihadis. May Allah give everyone wisdon.
still waiting to hear the news of sufi and fazlullah’s capture or elimination. Unless i see that those ullahs and suifs are dealt with force, i won’t believe hat is but a staged farcical drama. By the way just a suggestion…army should eliminate the imam dheri- madrassa of fazaluulah and construct a girls school there.
Needless to say that military operation was inevitable. These unrestrained religeous zealots must be stopped and reminded 0f the basic tennents of Islam as established by Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him.
Ash Rehman
I believe the swat operation is going well. The army is clearly punishing the taliban and the relief operation for the IDPs is going well so far but there are two grave concerns. The first is that the there needs to be better management for registeration of IDPs as no Taliban should be allowed to enter the IDP camps. Second, the IDPs must not be mistreated in any way. It is as important to defeat the taliban as to take care of the IDPs and collateral damage must be minimized. There is another point about precision strikes, coalition forces have not been always careful as none of their own country men or women are at risk. Here the case is different and therefore i beleive that the air force will be a lot more careful. Media must play its role to keep up the moral of the whole nation as media is what i believe the most crucial player after the army in the war.
Inshallah it will as this is the first time the nation is united in uprooting this evil.There is no turning back now it is do or die battle. If we retreat now we would lose our society to these evil people called Taliban.
It will not be an easy tass and it will take time. There is no choice left but to persistently continue and finish the job. There will be considerable cost in terms of life and money and the country should be ready to pay this price. This problem is created in three decades and if it can be handled in three months then that will be a great achievement.
I will fully support this operation against these extremist by Pak army. They must flush them out coz they earned very bad name for Islam as well as Pakistan.We Pakistani living abroad are sick and tired by giving explanation about these so called Islamist and trying to tell them that this in not actual teaching of Islam.
The biggest issue right now is IDPs, if our civil administration as usual failed to make efficient arrangements for provision of amenties these camps can become yet another breeding camps for militants and sympathizers for militants can increase instead of decreasing. Above all as a nation we all must support the IDPs generously if we really want to get rid of militants and terrorists. God bless Pakistan and her citizens.