Theatres of conflict

For now, attention has switched to the south as far as militancy goes. Over the past few days, since the Data Darbar bombings, we have seen a series of reports about the groups operating in the Punjab — and it seems even the provincial government has finally accepted that these forces do indeed exist and that it is no longer safe to simply ignore them. But as the pendulum swings from north to south, we are reminded that a state of war persists over a wide swath of territory. Fighting for now continues in tribal areas. Almost every day we hear of new casualties — in Bajaur, in Orakzai, in Lower Dir and elsewhere. It is too early to declare final victory in these parts. The people who have returned to war–torn areas report continued tensions and difficulties in resuming normal life.

Even in the West, there is a great deal of fury. News from Balochistan has most lately focused on nationalists and strikes against individuals based on their ethnicity. But we know the Taliban lurk in Quetta too, perhaps adopting a lower profile for now but ready to strike whenever opportunity arises. We must ask if it is possible to take on the militants all at once. For the moment no military operation is planned in the Punjab, but the time may come when it is necessary. Do we have the capacity to stage such a battle? The lessons from the north have also demonstrated how difficult it is to score a decisive victory over militants who have set up a base in the midst of mountain hamlets. The fact is that for the army to defeat them on its own may be asking too much. We need greater involvement on the part of the people. The vast majority are opposed to militancy. Their strength needs to be turned against the Taliban and other groups so that they can genuinely be toppled from their strongholds across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2010.