Pramod Raj Sedhain.
The massacre at a school in Peshawar proves horrific nature of terrorism and extremism in Pakistan. Rising terrorism threat in Pakistan is not only its greatest national security challenge but also the worrying sign of the entire world. Such worst-ever terrorist attack against children and civilians cannot be tolerable at any cost. Hence, beginning of a decisive battle against the terrorists’ groups is the need of the hour. Military operation has become inevitable aftermath the Peshawar massacre. Soft line approach against all forms of terrorism will not work. Necessary steps or launching a ‘decisive all-out military battle’ has become inevitable.
Only a major military operation can prevent future terror acts. The first step would be to destroy the global terrorist organizations based in Pakistani tribal areas. Pakistan only can deal militarily to crush barbaric terrorists groups. Holding peace talks will create opportunity for the militants to make, plan and coordinate other major terror acts. Political solution and peace dialogue have failed several times. Anti-terrorism operations will not succeed in a week or two or even months. It might even take several years. Small-scale operations will only neutralize time but will not defeat the terrorist groups’ ability.
Pakistan’s patience has given ample time to terrorists. Now that Pakistan must realize and go for a final battle to eliminate terrorism from the country. Militant outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan still operates in the country’s North Waziristan, one of the seven tribal regions along the Afghanistan border. The rugged mountain areas are not only the base of Pakistani fighters but also for the Chechens, Uzbeks, Turkmen, Tajiks, Uighurs among other foreign fighters’ hideouts. Pakistan’s operation will not see rapid progress due to difficult geographical terrain. Moreover, the operation will be costly, painful and lengthy. However, it is necessary to take offensive steps to take the entire remote areas under the government’s control for better security future. Pakistan Army’s delayed campaign of counter-insurgency operation will be an opportunity for terrorist outfits to form an umbrella organization to counter the government forces. Chasing down terrorists and their bases in the tribal areas is utmost necessary. Likewise, intensifying ground and air offensives in North Waziristan and Khyber would neutralize the terrorists.
The question is: How long will Pakistan bear significant loss of life and economic destruction? Pakistan faces dozen of terrorist groups with diverse nature. Unprecedented station of thousands of foreign fighters in its soil is another challenge and threat. World’s notorious terrorist organization Al Qaeda has linkup with Pakistani terrorist groups as well as another global terrorist group Islamic State has also set-up its affiliation with some of Pakistani terrorist groups. Pakistan army’s previous operations ended without gain. Triumphant march to terrorist groups’ bases will be possible through an integrated political and military approach. Pakistan’s religious, sectarian, and ethnic differences need to solve on the basis of broad-base strategy. Better management of internal security, root out corruption within the security organs and proficient investigation can neutralize Pakistan’s security challenges.
Full-scale military offensive needs seriousness on the part of the leadership. Likewise, proper planning and strategy, legal and moral framework, reviving the public trust and huge financial support are other aspects. Military too need to respect the civilian government and all political parties should encourage and endorse the operation. All components of the country should make concerted effort to take action against the terrorists. Eliminating future terrorist risk is not an easy task. However, the Pakistan government can go for a decisive victory if they solve the internal problems. Insurgencies and terrorism in Pakistan are the greatest security threat for the regional countries. Regional countries need to keep their eyes open to successfully counter the fundamentalist terrorism their own country.
How to deal ?
Pakistan’s long war against terrorism needs comprehensive framework and strategy. Aggressive military operation against terrorists is a Herculean costly task in every aspect, including human and socio-economic dimensions. But tough approach is necessary to destroy the local and foreign fighter bases in North Waziristan. The government needs to evacuate huge number of civilians as well as convince the local tribesman to save their customs and traditions before carrying out offensive. Another crucial factor is compensation for public property and civilians deaths. Crackdown of extremist ideology is genuinely necessary to eliminate new kind of sectarian, communal, and ethno-nationalist terrorism. Enhancing intelligence in major cities and starting surprise raids at the urban hideouts, enforcing effective law, among other strategies need to be the overall operational part. However, all government moves need to gain local public trust and support.
Similarly, effective air strikes can neutralize terrorist hideouts and destroy their infrastructure. But it is necessary to prevent the relocation of militants through ground offense. Pakistan and Afghan military need to boost up security near the Pakistani-Afghan border along with carrying out joint operations to prevent militants from crossing over into borders. Any military offensive in Pakistan’s tribal region of North Waziristan will not be successful without the joint support and cooperation of the two countries. Such joint operations can block the escape route of the militants. But fight against terrorism is always crucial between Islamabad and Kabul. Both countries need to have cooperation on the bordering areas at the intelligence and operational levels.
Common roadmap for cross-border control plays vital role for both countries’ security. But such moves have already faced several challenges. Without effective security mobilization in the cross-border, border movement control, common army check-points and patrols terrorism will not be defeated. Pakistan and Afghan forces need to be willing to take such a move of joint operation against common problems. Without a common approach and objective against potential threat, Pakistan cannot defeat militancy and extremism. Pakistan’s security dilemma faces more complex challenges without Afghanistan confidence. Afghanistan also needs to launch a military campaign in Kunar where Pakistani Taliban militants are widely believed to be hiding. Military measures of both the countries can deal the security challenges of both the countries. Trust and confidence between the two neighbors can destroy common threat.
Full territory control of lawless tribal areas is necessary for the country’s overall security. After succeeding the first phase of ground operation, government forces need to establish base in the area as well as arming tribesmen to fight against terrorist groups. Such joint efforts can be easy to tackle militants in the long term. Without combat against terrorist through hard-line approach, there is possibility that Pakistan might enter difficult circumstance leading to further turmoil. Pakistan’s new aggressive counter-terrorism operation can enhance its ties with United States. America has been running a secret drone strike program to target terrorist suspects in Pakistan’s tribal area through Afghanistan. Operation in North Waziristan might gain huge US financial support as well as other logistic and other kinds of support.
