The Pakistani Spectator

It was primarily Baitullah Mehsud’s intransigence that the peace accord got busted in Malakand and FATA on numerous occassion between the Pakistani government and the militants or even with the tribes. It was due to the Baitullah Mehsud that terrorists started their retaliation in the towns and cities of the Pakistan. Baitullah has ordered his gang to fall in to fight with the security forces and he wants to open up multiple war zones, but timely Pakistan Army has decided to engage the terrorists in South Waziristan.

Awami National Party’s leadership has also shown mettle and despite of the immense pressure of Internally Displaced People, who are still increasing, they are supporting the operation in South Waziristan, when the Swat operation is still underway. The treacherous terrain of South Waziristan has become hub of the terrorism and that is the final and ultimate battleground which will decide the future of this region in specific and world at large, and that is why world needs to practically stand behind Pakistani people and forces.

Pakistani security forces have already started the crunch operation in South Waziristan. The air force used jet-fighters to bomb Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) head, Baitullah Mehsud’s positions in Makeen, Ladha and Kotki in South Waziristan on June 13 and the army’s long-range artillery guns deployed in Razmak in North Waziristan shelled his strongholds. Baitullah’s terrorists are in thousands and they have got modern weaposn and resources and so this war will be tough and bloody and at a full blown scale. Terrorist in the South Waziristan will surely utilize guerrilla strikes, ambushes and improvised explosives device (IED) attacks.

Pakistan military is up against shadowy and fast-moving guerrilla fighters and to defeat these fighters, local population support is inevitable and critical. Without the local support, victory in South Waziristan is an elusive dream and the war will linger on forever. Also there is a dire need that the North Waziristan should be kept peaceful and under control, while the operation is carried out in the South. Already Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the commander of the North Waziristan militants is angry with the forces as they have launched operation in the FR Bannu against some tribes as a retaliation of cadet college Razmak students kidnapping. Right now, peace should be done through jirga with the Janikhel and Bakkakhel tribes in Frontier Region Bannu, and also with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur to alienate the Baitullah Mehsud.

Armies have begun their march for a final showdown in Waziristan. Like every war manipulation and killing will be the key factor and great general is who wins by more manipulation and less killings.