Army troops were deployed in Swat and Malakand to carry out an operation against the militants in 2009. PHOTO: INP
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister Pervez Khattak approved the withdrawal of Pakistan Army from Swat and Malakand on Saturday, Express News reported.
He said that withdrawal of troops would begin from Buner and Shangla first.
Pakistan army troops had been ordered into the valley in 2009 by the then democratic government after militants had attempted to take over. After the successful completion of their operation and talks with the militants, it was decided that army personnel will be called off from the area.
"The army deployed in Swat and Malakand will start withdrawing next month," reported Ehtisham Khan and added that K-P chief minister had signed the respective documents.
The government has struggled to eliminate militancy from the once peaceful valley. Last year in October, militants managed to shoot teenage peace and education activist Malala Yousufzai, and her two friends in Swat.
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Great going #PTI ..first peace talks ...n now #TTP is damnding release of 4750 #killer ...thanks to #IK's childish thinking ...n now this ...Army lost hundards of men to re-occupy Sawat .....#Shame on #PTI #IK n on ppl who still see #IK as reasonable person ...#pityToAllSuch ....
3 army officers killed, 2 injured in Upper Dir IED blast - Major General Sanaullah, Lieutenant Colonel Tauseef and Sepoy Imran were killed when the device planted on a road exploded.
Victory for Imran Khan, your own brothers/people !
@numbersnumbers:
If don't agree, then tell us who is funding TTP --- your choice.
@csmann:
Not guests, they are our own people/brothers --- tabdeylee aa gayee hay!
Great decision!!! One is reminded of an old story of 'The Arab and his camel' and the results are going to be same what the Arab got by allowing the camel to enter his tent.
Here come the reality unfolding, when mullah and military combines it give birth to pti and they were imposed on Pakhtunkhwa, the fruit started coming out too soon and the talibs will be now given free hands . Poor emotional Pashtuns will regret doing away with anp in less then a year,
WOW, "American/Indian funded TTP"!! Pleeeeeze tell us how you know that???
Good Step by KP Government. Only Shangla and Buner is not enought, army should also pull out from other districts of Malakand division.
Police is the law enforcing agency in a civilian society and not the Army. So it is an excellent decision to remove Army. You can increase the capacity of police there instead. Police has the authority to prosecute and provide justice through courts. Army had it's limitations in a civilian environment.
Sad day for Pak Army and the nation
Gravest mistake, soon TTP will control KPK.
A disaster in waiting! The people of Swat and other areas will soon be at the mercy of the Taliban terrorists once again. Many a thanks to PTI!
@Nadir: Very right, army does not listen and is not under any civilian authority. They decide what they want to do. that's the irony. The army should be under civilian control and Chief Minister (the chosen representative of the people of K-P) should have the authority to give an order to army if s/he decides to so.
This is a positive sign. The PTI led government seems to have started taking its responsibility. I hope the civilian government is ready to take on the challenges.
Well done Pak Army.. We are grateful and proud of you
"Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief minister Pervez Khattak approved the withdrawal", yeah right, as if the Army was waiting for his "approval"
once again forces surrender to talibans after sacrificing 50000 pakistani ...
Peaceful, orderly with-drawl of forces as was from E pakistan.
Talibans will take full control of these cities as soon as Pakistani army completes withdraw.
Very brave and crucial decision by KPK govt. Lets pray they have all the necessary preparation to ward off any untoward happening by the miscreants.
But one thing is appreciable that IK-PTI has the vision for country.
when do the foreign mercenaries start leaving the area. Oh! I forgot,they are guests!!
Great step taken CM Khattak.
Withdrawal of troops from Swat means giving Swat to Talibans once again.
what measure civil govt has taken to stop re entry of American/Indian funded TTP
Surrender completed, and withdrawal has begun.
Army withdraws - TTP invades.