The situation on our western borders is one that calls for urgency in action and finality in will. That is the only way to handle the militants that threaten to tear apart our social fabric.
A full scale military operation in Kurram Agency and Upper Dir may sound much better than it may actually turn out to be. A tangible criterion of success in such an operation isn’t what really matters – Bajaur Operation, a hint – capitalising on the gains and holding the ground gained would be a better yardstick.
Now that the US would be scaling back its operations on the Afghan side of the border, the viability of this operation cannot be overemphasised. Terrorists might find the border a bit tempting to cross and capitalise on their networks this side of the Durand. Only an operation based on a pre-emptive strategy could pave the way for peace and stability, though one might question our security regime about the tardiness in launching this operation, which has handed the terrorists a greater manoeuvrability. Rather than letting them get out of hand, and become a monster on rampage, they should have been engaged first politically, then tackled economically and then, if nothing worked, with force.
Efforts on de-radicalising (a term in vogue now to demonstrate institutional efforts on bringing the radicalised youth back into the mainstream) the militants is sure a good strategy, but the real test would be whether they would stick to their radical ideology or turn a leaf to become responsible youths. It won’t harm to bring the tribal areas into the fold of national politics and administration.
The view from the political capitals is not a rosy one too. The US is raring for a visibly concrete action, and a firm commitment from Islamabad. Or, as they have hinted time and again, the focus would be shifted on Pakistan instead of Afghanistan. We are this close to being put between a rock and a hard place. All matters aside, we must assert our role or others won’t hesitate to fill in our shoes.