Terrorists apparently are not ready for talks
Government’s initiative for peace talks with the Taliban has in no way slowed down their terrorist activities. Considering the government is coming from a weaker position, it has given them an impetus in continuing their monstrously heinous activities. Just when the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had announced to withdraw military personnel from Malakand division, TTP has killed three military officers in a roadside bomb blast, including two senior military officers, Major General Sanaullah Niazi and Lieutenant Colonel Touseef, along with Lance Nayak Irfan Sattar. Dialogue, it seems, is not a preferred method of conflict resolution for these militants.
Malakand division has long been in turmoil with Mullah Fazlullah and others succeeding in setting up a parallel administration in Swat, Buner and adjoining areas only a few years ago. Then the military was called in and an operation was launched which resulted in roughly two million people becoming what was called internally displaced people. Military was however able to restore peace in the region, though reservations about how secure that peace is have been raised by the residents of the area, citing fears that as Mullah Fazlullah was hiding in sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Nuristan provinces, they could launch attacks again in the area, including Upper Dir, Lower Dir and in Bajaur Agency as well. These fears are not unfounded entirely as there had been cross-border attacks in the past. The Malalal incident, that took place in Swat, is a grim reminder of what these terrorists are capable of in pursuit of their agendas. The decision to pull military personnel out of the areas is however not as bad as it may sound. Military’s presence for a long time is neither good for military’s own image nor does it make civil administration look any good. But before this phased pull out takes effect, certain precautions need to be taken. Topmost of them all is the fear that militants could return to the area and upset the peace so delicately balanced. Civil security administration is not known for its vigilance or capacity to fight extremists away, and with the federal and provincial governments’ mantra of moving ahead with peace talks, militants might just make the best of the situation by trying to uproot the government and putting in place their reign of terror. The influx of terrorists that are hidden in the safe havens across the border would make the matters even worse.
The only way the government is ever going to be able to make these terrorists agree to a peace agreement on its terms is if the government enters these talks from a position of strength, not weakness as is the case presently. Otherwise, not just the military and security personnel but everyone’s life would be at stake, along with the government’s writ.