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.
I’m really surprised at the muddy thinking of many Pakistanis. With short memories they have forgotten what has been happening in the country over the past few years. Suicide bombing, burning schools, locking up half the population (read women) and inhumane acts. The list can go on and on. The Pakistanis have to make a choice between two ideologies: the ideology of the Taliban or freedom. You cannot have both ways. There are no ifs or buts.
Now that the politicians and the armed forces have become active, the fight against the Talibans must continue to the end and we have to manage the IDP problem as best as we can. It is better to suffer the pain now and have a proper future. There is no other option.
The Pakistan Army is treading on a very delicate path. What Pakistani Army can do is not questionable. Can a regular Army effectively fight an insurgency is the question. The situation in the areas controlled by Talibans is very complex. Poor and illiterate people who are fed up of the miserable state of affairs in the country feel that the Taliban’s way is the only way they can redeem themselves. The more we crush the Taliban the more there is sympathy created for them and the more recruits it will draw. One thing we need to understand is that if this war is long and protracted the Army will lose the current support from the people. This is the most dangerous thing that can happen. East Pakistan is a lesson that should not be forgotten. History has shown that even the most powerful armies have been defeated when it lost the respect and regard of its people. Then what is the solution….if not a military one?
Just like unhygienic conditions bring Cholera and Typhoid; similarly; insincerity, corruption, injustice and hypocrisy brings about chaos, instability and lawlessness which is an ideal ground for terrorism to flourish.
A new day will dawn in Pakistan when we realize that we have to help ourselves…we can no longer play the blame game. We need to address the crucial issues that are eating the nation like cancer from inside. We are responsible for our own fate. We have to take charge of the situation otherwise uneducated and paganistic people will interpret Islam in a draconian way. We have to unite and weed out the ills in our society. After 62 years of independence people in Pakistan still do not have their fundamental rights. Corruption is rife and the few affluent ones have always decided the fate of the multitude. We need to address these basic issues first. Rest everything will fall in place and terrorism will vanish automatically. We can do this if we really want to save the country.
Our inaction, our exploitation of the poor people, our mismanaging the affairs of this country and our own misunderstanding about our religion for such a long time is helping the Taliban do what they are doing….destroying our country and destroying our religion. Can we standby and let this happen? Or do we have the determination to unite and address the reasons behind all this. Fight the reason for the disease and not the symptoms.Inter alia, everyone of us has to reflect inside and ensure that we know our religion well. We need to know enough so that we are not driven by crazy and brainwashed Mullahs. Illiterate people misinterpreting Islam are dangerous….but if educated people with knowledge and experience do not understand their religion and agree with the interpretation of the illiterate it is far more dangerous….There is a lot that we the more knowledgeable and educated people can do to help out in the present situation. We need be clear about what our religion preaches and be open minded and tolerant in our views. Islam is for all times to come. We cannot afford to be inflexible in our views. If we are inflexible; we are part of the present problem our Nation is in and not part of the solution. We do not need to blame others……We do not need anyone’s help. We know the problem and we ourselves have the solution. We have to address the reasons for what state we are in….then no country will dare arm the insurgents, finance them and violate the sovereignty of the country by sending drones to Pakistan whenever they wish. What sort of government will allow all this to happen?
May sense prevail and may Allah help Pakistanis to come out of this affliction that is threatening the existence of this country. The Nation has shown time and again that it can come out of any calamity. In these crucial times we need friends who can understand our situation and treat us with respect rather than dictating to us. Pakistan Zindabad
Dr Asad said,
“After decades of lethargy, Pakistan Army has come up with the right approach. This operation has to go on, IDPs or no IDPs, till the very end. What Honey and Malik say about our colonial past and changes in our mentality, do not forget we have not done a thing about it in the past 60 years. Now, however, is not the time for such luxurious thinking. We first have to get rid of the Taliban, once and for all. Pakistanis get your thoughts right”.
Of course we need to get rid of them. This is short term solution. There is also element of long term solution which must not be ignored, and is by the way not mutually exclusive, i.e. you can and should have both short and long term solution. Long term solution lies in our failure to educate our people. But now we dont have luxury to wait for a few more generation before we achieve 100% literacy. We need to get this down our throat by force. That’s why I suggested we use a more paternalistic approach. As for our failure 60 years failure, yes, we failed. Doesn’t mean we don’t need to try anymore. If we can accept doctor’s prescription however bitter the medicine is, why can’t we do the same when it comes to solving our social problems? You need to give deeper analysis than merely suggesting people to get their thoughts right.
Timing of this operation is not right. The people of Swat are not used to 50 degree temperature and that too in tents. Very soon these IDPs will become frustrated. With that they will turn against their own hosts. If governments could wait many years, could have waited few months more. Sky was not falling on them. All wars we fought against India were in nice weather. Army did not attempt any adventure when weather was too hot or too cold. Lawyers first long march failed because of hot weahter. They learned the lesson and chose a nice weather for second attempt.
We support the religion of our birth.Think a child left alone on an island survives,lives and dies.What is religion for that human?What is religion for other species which have digestive system,reproductive system,brain etc.
Religion perhaps is required for peaceful living,happiness.But what is happening everywhere today? We are killing fellow humans.There are bound to be differences but we should have coexistence.
This war is for the survival of Pakistan and the nation cannot afford to lose it at any cost. The enemy is very clever and can surpise us by capturing some vital establishments or abducting VIPs as hotages. As a precaution security level of all VIPs be raised and Dr. Khan be moved to an army camp. No offers for negotiation should be considered other than full and total surrender
Pakistan’s military strategy in Swat is doomed to fail because of the rugged terrain where the insurgents can hide and continue the guerilla war for a long time. Let us look at the facts, the most powerful military in the world (US) and its allies have been fighting in Afghanistan for more than 7 years to wipe out Taliban. General McKierman recently said that “But I do believe that ultimately the solution here in this country (Afghanistan) will be a political solution and not a military one,”
The US government recently ousted the military commander in Afghanistan because of the worsening situation and increasingly strong Taliban.
The military operation can’t bring durable peace in the valley; there has to be political solution. Now is the time for political solution before we displace millions of Pakistanis from their homes and waste the limited military resources in a protracted war with no end in sight.
We must remember that Taliban is not a terrorist movement as claimed by the western media but was founded as an Islamic religious movement dedicated to fight communism and drug trade with American support. Pakistani Taliban’s grievances must be addressed by religious scholars and the government.
The problems we are facing today are due to the fact that billions of dollars of Russian military equipment were given freely to various groups willing to fight Russian army in Afghanistan during the Regan era. The arms were supplied by the US, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. After the Russians pulled out from Afghanistan, the arms were sold to Pakistanis at a fraction of its cost.
The Pakistani government’s top priority should be to send a delegation of religious scholars to the affected areas to negotiate a ceasefire, elimination of private armies and eventually a peace deal.
Secondly the government should buy all the illegal weapons of military design from the general public in order to maintain law and order in the country. The foreign governments who poured the arms in our country must pay for this project.
It’s ridiculous to demand Pakistan to stop the Taliban infiltration from Pakistan when the US allies can’t secure the Afghan border and its control is limited to Kabul.
divide and conquer….
After going through the following comments, I have found that a few people have critisized the Pak. army operation in Swat. Between the lines they tried to support / defend the taliban, as openly they find it difficult to justify these fanatics. I would like to respond to these talibans supporters:
Peacefull resolution or negotiations with these extremists untrustworthy people is not at all possible. So many attempts have been made to do so, but talibans have broke all the pacts. No more exprementations please.
Its true that our agencies / establishments with the help of US created these talibans in the Gen. Zia era to serve their purpose. But it does not mean that they have license to kill in Pakistan on a perpetual basis, they are free to terrorize the whole nation with the suicide bombing, they have responsibility to do their so called jihad everywhere in the world using Pakistan as their base camp. No sir, this is not on anymore. Please don’t give bad excuses to save talibans. Let them reap whatever they have sowed.
Some people say that on the behest of US the army is killing their own people. What they mean by our own people. There are a lot of crimnals in Pakistani jails, there are Pakistanis who have been hanged on courts orders. Whoever will take law in his hand should be punished, no matter he is a pakistani or not. Since in Swat there is an armed rebellion, so it would be crushed with an army action. Don’t confuse it with Pakistanis or muslims etc.
No doubt, local people are suffering due to the army action, but there is no other way out. All other options have already been exhausted In long run, it is for their own good in particular and for the whole Pakistan in general. Let us all help them & avoid to incite them to blame Govt. for the army action.
Jan key zian ka hum ko bhi afsoos to hey par kia kijiey
Her rah jo wan to jati hey, maqtal sey guzar key jati hey.
I would say, these advocates & supporters of taliban are really part of the problem. They give moral support to the cruel taliban and at the same time misguide simple people of Pakistan on the name of Islam. I request, all of these people to please don’t do it anymore, you are doing a great injustice to Pakistan & muslims.
We have a firm belief in our army, Insha-Allah they will eliminate talibans. At the same time all Pakistanis have to make a collective effort to get rid of taliban ideology from the society.
Going through the comments I am still suprised that people are still confused about the army operation in Swat. If I ponder why the answer is that they are not in pakistan and thats why its easy blame “Army” and operation.
if people put this question to themselves and give honest reply I think there would be no confusion, do we want a pakistan with Taleban roaming every where – do we want the suicide bobming to continue – do we want that the drug mafia sponsering these Taleban continue – do we want the turmoil to continue – do we want beheadings to continue
If the answer to above questions is no then why be confused.
I stand by my country and Army, they are fighting the war to make people like us to carry on our normal life. For the first time we unanimously have supported this action as 90% believe that this operation is imperative. Yes the action is late, yes Taleban were supported, yes we are sowing our seeds, but lets bygone be bygone lets move ahead and in that process if we need to sacrfice we should for the greater good.
I appeal all persons lets answer the questions whats good for pakistan and help the army in bringing back true Pakistan, lets unite and dont confuse with psuedo intellect by raising questions about the operation and information about the operation. Its time for us to clear our minds and decide, I was disappointed to read the comments above that “Would Army take action if their famlies were in Swat” lets critcize with objectivity”
Lets support Pak Army the only institution that is viatl for Pakistans stability.. Now if Pak Army is fighting then support lets support and save pakistan
Pakistan Zindabad
We fully Support Pakistan Army Final Operation against these Talibani. Pakistan Army has the full support of all Pakistanis and we are praying for the success of Our great Pakistani Army. Pakistan Army Zinda Baad
Fazal says about Taliban:
“In that, they have incomparably more understanding, insight, GHAIRAT, and bravery than all of the meek apologists and collaborators of imperialism. That is a fundamental truth.”
Fazal, the fundamental truth is that I can still have a freedom to think and prosper within the rule of these apologiest, and if needed voice against it. I think you are grossly misinformed about the rule of Taliban.
Better Late then never. What is happening is the best our people can do with this situation. But still things can go out of control if we have more sucide bombers on the loose. If and when sense prevails amongst our men. we have a long road to travel to place we all Pakistani want and need.
Paksitan government should be honest to the people of Pakistan and it Army. It should acknowledge that it is cooperating with combined forces in Drone attacks to flush out the talabian from it territory.
Maintaining that attacks are made with out its knowledge is not right. It also gives message of its impotency to its people.
Stop pandering to the mullah’s and the secular element of the society should impose its its values of living in peace and harmoney
It should also do the followings:
Settle Kashmir issue
Stop stock piling nuclear weapon. It has enough to destroy itself and India.
Form a government of National Unity with
emotionally strong people such as Choudhary
Rashid, Ex-minister and Iqbal Ahsan of MLN,
Stop talking what BB would have done if alive, but do the right things to meet the occassion.
Graciouly acknowledge the American contribution to Pakistan Society with out compromising on issue of national respect.
Stop badgering women and force them to wear veils and other such marments that destroy personal confidence.
Stop use of mosques for purposes other then praying by Mullahs.
Stop smuggling of good and currency.
As a Pakistani student abroad, i think it is time we dictated ourselves to the taliban as well as foriegn powers. Now is not the time to see the past, but rather support our army. I think the Airforce should intensify it’s role. We should support our nation.
In my view the Army operation in Swat is a just call and we all have to support our govt & Armed forces in this regard.This is our war & we have to fight it & win it. And as far as some of the (hypocrate) politicians & media people shouting out for taliban and asking the military operation to be stopped i have only one suggestion “Please dont spoil our country anymore,you have done enough damage already, dont try to impose on us their brand of living”
I think no millitary operation is everlasting solution of any problem, besides that no public openion was created neither main political parties were taken on board before this operation, in which,very first result is a catastrophic human desplacement,a great calamity and chaos, for pakistan.
i think the armed forces of Pakistan are doing what they have to do and their goal is legitimate. No country can allow few ignorants to impose their will.
It is important to realize that any force which challenges the state authority has to be dealt with iron hand otherwise chaos and anarchy will be the order of the day. Military operation is indispensable in SWAT. Militants or Talibans or Mujahideen or any other name u can use, it is imperative to face any mortal threat to general public which disrupts routine life and force people to cave in their homes in fear of death. Maintenance of Law and Order is pre-requisite of any viable state.
Why this mess? Two reasons are important to ponder upon.
1. Pakistan’s Geostrategic Location
2. Identity Crisis
Our geo-strategic location is both bane and boon for us. Since the inception, we mired into crisis and problems much more graver than our strength and resources. Aftermath of World War-II gave rise to cold-war between USA and Soviets and our leaders sided with USA and signed pacts of SEATO AND CENTO. Percieved Threat from India has led us to ally our selves with the west. Our region has remained the petty self-governed kingdoms of fuedals, Sardars, Maliks and Choudarys. Therefore, we never tasted the democracy in british raj. Surrounded by China, India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia put us or forced us to play part in Great Games, OLD or NEW. In my opinion, today, new great game is going on between the USA and emerging powers. Central Asian states have immense reserves of natural resources which are to be channelized to the world through Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Next, we are still groping in the dark for our identity as a nation. We were dragged into ideological battles by our clergy and politicians to achieve totally secular end; POWER. As per Jinnah, Pakistan was meant to be for the Muslims of India especially this region to avoid hostile Hindu majority which was percieved as a threat after British departure. Our post-partition leaders, twisted the thoughts of founding fathers to suit their political interests, they told us that Pakistan was created to protect Islam rather than Muslims, therefore, we adopted the ideology of islam as ideology of Pakistan. But whither Islam? Islam of Sunni or Shia or Barelvi or Salafi or Wahabi or Sufi or Ahl-Hadith or Ahl-Sunnat etc. Suppose that we are implementing Islamic Law which law will govern which sect in which courts. This simple thought of implementing Islam creates divisions among so-called pious muslims. Lets accept, we are hypocrites. We are short-sighted people who do not sacrifice our personal interests over collective interests. We should take collective responsibility of what is going on around us rather than blaming certain group,sect or government at large. We should say NO to tyranny and terror in any form. But, practice first what you preach instead of preaching without practicing.
Problems in FATA and Swat region are mostly dedicated to a corrupt jirga system. The tribal leaders to meet their own ends have been manipulating jirga for a long time. They are involved in drug paddling, illegal arms smuggling and kidnapping for ransom. Why this was not checked by their own system, by their ‘Spin giras’ the revered elders. On the more political front Jamat-i-Islami is the negative factor which has a certain clout in the tribal region(see in every tribal demonstration flags of this party) This jamat as done considerable damage to Pakistan with their negative policies and practical involvement in Kashmir insurgency. Now they are against the army action in Swat and other regions.
We need to look into the core of the substance and remove these ills from our society. Tribals had very effective jirga administration during the British and and the early days of Pakistan. They had great respect among the Pakistanis and even among the countries abroad.
I think this is a good chance for the present administration to make positive development work in FATA and assure the tribals of their due respect in our society and elsewhere. They are committed as the first defence line of Pakistan and had played an important role in the creation of Pakistan. We have to be careful honest to them and they will go out of the way for creating a more harmonious and a progressive Pakistan. Regards-Zia
1. We allowed militants to gain strength and numbers so that they were within an hours’ drive from the capital itself!
2. They were able to run unathorized FM stations all over for years and preach extremism.
3. We made several half-hearted attempts to fight them and stopped, emboldening them.
4. We agreed to surrender in the national Assembly, cowed by their threats and the invisibility of our defenders.
We forget that nations sometimes have to pay very heavy prices for the preservation of their unity, the American Civil War being an example. The Sri Lankan Civil War is just ending. We all know how many people were killed in these wars.
We still don’t have enough soldiers deployed in the war. If we don’t have enough, why don’t we raise another division and show once and for all that we mean business as a state?
It goes without saying we should arrange massive support for the civilan displaced persons. The international support was never stronger. We dithered until we got an ultimatum and then there was no time for the arrangements.
I’d say we should stop being squeamish and stop fiddling around.
I have been regular reader of Dawn and found it better online paper then most papers.
I think you are fighting a war in wrongly. One never should use shelling bombing etc to attach terrorist. Just a common sense. Taliban is not an army. They are individuals. When Army fights with other army the positions etc are clearly defined and they rarely use civials as a sheild. What you are doing now is putting innocent civilans at risks. Current strategy reduces army casualities but will cause civilians to not support Army. The only way to fight this war is hand on combat. Which means heavy casualities from Army. Russia lost war in afghanistan because of same reason.
Folks,
Looking beyound this problem, the fundamental problem of pakistan is injustice.
1. How can you expect people to rule you efficiently if they dont have any stake in the country? Their wealther and families live outside so why should they care what happens to the country?
2. How long can a country survive on continous foreign aid that comes with attached strings and that get looted by few?
3. How long a country can survive when you have few powerful suppressing weak majority? Zamindar, tehsildar etc what kind of hypocrisy is this when this is tolerated but not taliban?
Pakistan thinks Taleban is their biggest problem, when it is actuallu a case of inefficient leadership.
Wake up!!
I am very surprised that none of the democratic leaders have visited the IDPs.
Pakistan is very very lucky that we have such a great army and ISI. The chief is a great person and knows what to do and say.
Pakistan is doing the right thing and the whole nation must stand with the Pak army.
I wish that someone from the so called democratic govt. take a strong stand against foriegn powers and show some dignity, instead of the rhetoric of more aid more aid.
One can ask the following questions.
How did the militants get into Swat.Where was the intelligence.
How do militants get their arms and any other equipment.
Can the Army cut off the supply lines of the militants?
How can 4000 or so militants intimidate the local population?
It seems there is need to win over the local population by providing social infra structre like housing,clinics,schools,jobs etc.