Tribal lashkars

Can the security forces guarantee the safety of those who openly side with them in the long run?


Editorial July 17, 2014

While it is welcome and indeed encouraging that the local population is siding with the army in the push to weed out terrorists and their sympathisers, the formation of a tribal lashkar in Bajaur should be treated cautiously by those overlooking the operation on the ground.

The militia, according to reports, will help guard the border to fend off incursions by militants that have set up sanctuaries in Afghanistan — the kind that claimed the lives of three Pakistani soldiers a few days ago. There is no doubt that assistance from locals, in this case the Mamond tribe, goes a long way in helping out the army in ground operations — particularly in Bajaur, which has been a flashpoint for cross-border attacks.

However, the fact is that a tribal militia is no substitute for security forces — and that rings true in many ways. Firstly, there is the issue of capability. Now, while the locals’ knowledge of the area and terrain will no doubt provide valuable insight, the task of guarding the border must be done by the army itself. Simply put, such a key responsibility simply cannot be delegated. In fact, this is not only the sole responsibility of the Pakistan Army, but the Afghan and international forces across the border. The tribesmen simply are not equipped or trained for the job. In any case, to put them in the line of fire of militant groups that are evidently armed with all sorts of sophisticated weapons is unfair. In the past, such militias and their tribal chiefs have become helpless targets of revanchist militants once the security forces have lessened their presence and the initial force of operations subsides. Can the security forces guarantee the safety of those who openly side with them in the long run? It is doubtful. In fact, the tribesmen themselves will know that. Which leads us to yet another associated risk: Aside from the fairness, such considerations of re-infestation of these areas by militants may also clearly colour the effectiveness of the local militias will do.

Then there is also the issue of controlling atrocities on the ground. Militias are clearly not accountable to anyone — and any sort of war transgressions by them will be the responsibility of the army. This push against militancy is crucial — and leaving loose ends is simply not acceptable.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2014.

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COMMENTS (1)

Shuaib Bhat | 9 years ago | Reply

Great article. I am happy they are siding with the Government and it totally disproves these people who say Pashtuns want independance (LOL, they don't). Their hearts in the right place but this should only be done by the Government/Army of Pakistan. We need to let our Army handle this. They can help by locating the terrorists.

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