“Peace is indispensable for life because if there is peace we are able to carry out our social, political, financial and cultural activities freely,” says Khan.
No army in the world can be successful without public support, according to Mohmmad Idrees Khan, the newly appointed head of Nepkikhel Qaumi Jirga and Peace Militia in Swat’s Kabal tehsil.
It was due to the public’s support that Pakistan army was successful in purging Swat of militants and the public needs to be taken on board to accomplish the same for North and South Waziristan, he said in a statement issued here on Friday.
The veteran peace militia leader has been actively combating militants in his area of Bara Bandai, which once served as the head office of the Taliban in Swat. He has escaped several attempts on his life, however, five of his family members were not so fortunate.
The Nepkikhel Peace Militia is an alliance of the local people from all walks of life whose sole aim is to protect their area from extremist forces, said Khan. “Our force is non-political, having no other interests than to save their lands, he said, “The platform is like a brotherhood.”
Formed in 2009 after militants were driven out of Swat and peace was restored in the area, the peace militia has been fighting alongside the army to maintain that hard-earned peace.
“Peace is indispensable for life because if there is peace we are able to carry out our social, political, financial and cultural activities freely,” Khan said.
“After militants were driven out of Swat, we all decided that if any of them were to return, any local found giving shelter or food to them will be considered a militant. Their houses will be burnt and legal action will be taken against them,” Khan explained.
He said the militia is quite active in the area, so much so that upon receiving information of militants entering the valley, they reach the site ahead of the army.
The militia has nabbed hundreds of militants, including suicide bombers, and handed them over to the security forces. It is due to this reason that Khan is confident when he says that militants can never come back to Swat.
“Though terrorists often sneak into the area, but it is safe to say that neither Fazlullah nor his companions can come back to this land again,” he said. “And if [the militants] ever tried to attack us, the will be dealt with an iron hand,” he added.
Khan’s formula for durable peace in the area is simple: it will be ensured for as long as the people are committed to ensuring it.
The fact that no security lapse has occurred in Swat since 2009 is proof enough of Khan’s claims and the commitment of the people in maintaining peace has not faltered.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2012.
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