Peace in Swat: Jirga members vow to root out terrorism
The Nepkikhel peace jirga has renewed its determination to eradicate terrorism from Swat.
The jirga came before the media on Tuesday, where Jirga members resolved to fight terrorists until they are completely rooted out from the valley.
Last week, the jirga’s vice president, Idrees Khan, was attacked and seriously injured by a group of terrorists in Koza Bandai Village in Kabal Tehsil. His security guard was killed in the attack.
Soon after the incident, the jirga’s lashkar (militia), along with security forces, launched a search operation and arrested a number of suspects from the area.
Saifullah Khan, a jirga member, said, “We want peace and stability in Swat and we will render every sacrifice for this cause. The attack on Khan was a cowardly act and we remind the terrorists that we will fight each and every one of them.”
Ali Khan, another elder, said that the jirga should not be considered a weak force. “We have the strength and ability to deal with anti-state elements. We will fight along with the military and we won’t let the terrorists enter Swat once again,” he remarked.
The elders informed the media that they had no animosity with anyone, adding that the terrorists just wanted to sabotage peace in the region.
The Nepkikhel jirga is the largest peace jirga in Kabal Tehsil. The area shares its boundaries with Dir, from where terrorists often try to enter the Swat valley.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2011.
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Bravo! If we had listened to Imran Khan and the like in Swat, we would still have the valleys of Swat ruled by barbarians who bomb schools, funerals, sports events, markets, mosques (during Ramazan, during tarvih/juma/eid prayers), and hospitals; who kidnap and kill young kids; who can kill anybody who disagrees with them including religious scholars. Sometimes, negotiations are the worst solution to a problem as proven by Swat. Decisive force can save a lot of lives and pain, if used judiciously.