Against militants everywhere

Addressing TTP safe heavens in other parts of the country is as, if not more, important than securing North Waziristan

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif’s pledge to chase militants everywhere and anywhere they are in the country should serve to placate concerns that the security establishment was banking too much on Operation Zarb-e-Azb to combat terrorism in Pakistan. Clearly, the military effort currently underway in North Waziristan, while certainly crucial, is not going to single-handedly solve our problems. There have been numerous reports and studies — and indeed events — that have shown that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)’s tentacles have spread across the country. Safe havens and hideouts are no longer restricted to the mountains of the tribal areas — and now extend into the urban heartland of Pakistan, from the outskirts of bustling and busy Karachi to the densely populated religious centres of south and central Punjab, and even to the unmonitored swathes of Balochistan. In fact, many argue, and perhaps rightfully so, that it is these sanctuaries that will allow the TTP to survive Zarb-e-Azb and resurface, and hence that addressing these safe havens is as, if not more, important than securing North Waziristan.

One official has been quoted as saying that the military is cognisant of this threat. According to this official, there is a realisation within the security establishment that the operation will only be successful once the militants’ countrywide infrastructure is destroyed. Reports also have it that there is a supplementary plan already in place that will see targeted operations in the settled areas, with southern districts of Punjab and Karachi in particular on the watch-list of security agencies.

At the same time, it is important not to open up too many fronts simultaneously. It is important that the operation in North Waziristan is seen through its entirety without any distraction — and not allow possible blowbacks in other parts of the country to discredit the effort. This will include not only the initial fighting, but the clearing out, managing and then return of IDPs and the rebuilding and counter-insurgency phases. This will be a long and possibly drawn-out process — and it is heartening to see the army chief visiting the frontlines in person to encourage his troops and the country at large for an effort that is only just beginning in and from North Waziristan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2014.

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