Operation Rah-e-Nijat has been
termed as the ‘mother of all battles’ and is considered to be the most serious
drive yet by the army into South Waziristan. This time around, the military’s
objectives are to re-establish the writ of the state in a region where it has
conducted operations thrice before, all of which have concluded prematurely with
peace deals.
According to the military, South Waziristan is the center of gravity of the
banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has waged a brutal war on the
country, killing scores of innocent civilians and military personnel. The
militants also understand the strategic importance of their base and are likely
to fight it out to the last man as this is a battle for their survival. The
Mehsud fighters, along with their Uzbek comrades, are known for their tough
resistance to government intervention and have been preparing to fight since
June, when the army surrounded South Waziristan and blocked all supply routes.
Analysts fear that the militants might sneak out into the neighboring districts,
forcing the army to expand its operation into the adjacent agencies. If this
happens, then the army will certainly be stretched thin, as it is still
maintaining a heavy presence in Swat where it was successful in reducing
militancy to a significant extent.
The public must do its part by making a deliberate effort to welcome the IDPs
and help in relief efforts so the people of South-Waziristan do not feel
abandoned and are brought into the mainstream. The army should provide security
to international aid agencies and permit them to enter the region so they can
assist in relief efforts.
It is imperative for the army to minimize collateral damage. The conclusion of
the operation must be followed by extensive development in the area so that the
local tribesmen are brought into the mainstream and do not feel neglected; as
has been the case throughout the history of Pakistan.