Syeda Mazhar
Operation Rah-i-Rast aimed at clearing Swat of the Mullah Fazlullah-led militants in 2009 was seen a success story of being able to rid the region of extremist militancy. True, that operation had a number of lacunae, but there were positive aspects that could serve as a political, strategic and operational model to help the present civil and military establishments take informed decisions.
Political support with elements like national integration and cohesiveness demonstrated unflinching concepts of bravery and heroism, was appreciated and acknowledged over the lengths and breadths both domestically and globally. The government and the military got the much-needed backing from the country’s political class and, barring a few minor exceptions, leaders of political parties from across the broad spectrum supported the efforts to eliminate the menace of religious extremism and terrorism, but cautioned against collateral damage or alienation of the general public.
In fact, the support from the main opposition party in a way compelled some of the opposition groups, particularly the Jamaat-i-Islami, Imran Khan’s Tehrik-i-Insaaf and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam either to take a back seat or to dilute their criticism of the ongoing security operation against the Taliban in Swat and adjoining areas.
The military strategy had far focused on preventing the Taliban’s flight into hard-to-reach mountainous terrain, clearing Taliban strongholds in Swat and encircling the militants in the heart of Swat Valley in Mingora, a city that was effectively freed from under the Taliban control. The attempts to corner the Taliban in Swat from several directions from the heavily forested Taliban hideout in Peochar in northwestern Swat, from Lower Dir to the west, from Malakand district to the southwest, from Buner to the southeast and from Shangla to the east.
A deliberate and meticulous approach was taken by the Pakistan army to eradicate the seeds of extremism and terrorism from one of the most fruitful and potentiated lands of Pakistan which was becoming the hub of the Taliban. Being a classical example of coherent and precise application of military and media in combination for the first time in the history of own soil insurgency warfare.
Acute scrutiny of success being as important as the analysis of a failure, sets up an efficacious path with stability and also corresponds significantly than the former and especially when Pakistan is under tremendous pressure to launch more operations like North Waziristan.
Although, Swat operation cannot be equated in the history, especially in shape of exit from and entrance back in the Valley of more than 4 million refugees, which were displaced due to security forces, within two months of its culmination. Insurgencies are fought phase wise, but phases to follow also required to be dealt with professionalism.
The Taliban escape routes involved deal making with local tribal Maliks which never held due to the fall of Taliban in the region. The insurgents in Dir reportedly agreed to leave their strongholds in Asbanr and Guland areas. Further west in Gulnae area of Mohmand Agency bordering the Afghan border, Taliban commander Yawar Syed and several of his associates laid down the arms in a well-publicized tribal Jirga.
Within fortnight, considerable progress was made on all axes causing disarray among militants. Wireless intercepts indicated signs of chaos among them. Many among them shaved their beards and trimmed their beards and ran for life. Although the militants put up stiff resistance at each point, however the resolve and determination of assaulting troops led by officers was so strong that they had to give in. Rapid successes made by the brave-hearts shattered centuries-old myth of invincibility of tribesmen of this region. Terrorists fell and will fail because they are fighting for a wrong cause and at the behest of foreign powers.
Huge caches of arms, ammunition, explosives, suicide jackets and material required for suicide jackets have been seized; chemical factories making IEDs taken over. Five truckloads of Indian origin arms, ammunition, medical equipment and literature were apprehended from Shrawangai. Indian involvement in infiltrating Pakistan with terrorists was also highlighted in the operation.
Successful Swat operation and return of 2.5 million displaced persons to their homes turned the tide and forced the militants to run in panic. Establishment of linkage of militants with foreign powers and ongoing spate of acts of terror brought Taliban in bad books of public and demand for uprooting their main base in South Waziristan (SW) grew louder.
Prosperous completion of Rah-e-Nijat helped in curbing terrorism to a great extent. The Army having played its part commendably, it is now the turn of political Administration as well as the civil population of Pakistan to play its part to win the hearts and minds of the affected areas through relief and rehabilitation works together with development works and adopting people friendly rather than US friendly policies. FATA should be freed of presence of CIA and RAW agents and foreigners.
We cannot overlook the sacrifices and efforts of the refugees of the Swat operations who have been displaced, barring a bitter fruit with no life it revert back to. It is extremely painful to let go of a stable life and try to build another one from the scratch. As per our duty, the refugees should be maximally rehabilitated and every sector of the country needs to pave the way to their prosperity.
