People leaving homes as operation speeded up

By Noor Wali Shah

As the security forces move in, civilians move out to find shelter and save their honor as their lives are no more save in South Waziristan Agency (SWA).

The Pakistani Army launched operation Rah-i- Nijat, the mother of all battles, to crush foreign and local militants from the SWA bordering Afghanistan.

Both America and Pakistani governments believe that they (militants), most of them foreigners, have made SWA as their base camp and train suicide bombers to attack Nato forces across the border and Pakistani and civilians inside.

Sources said exodus from the conflict-hit area was continuing and most of the IDPs were reaching Dera Ismail KhanIsmail Khan and Tank - the two districts lying in proximity to the restive South Waziristan Agency.

Nearly 25000 families were for registered in five registration points in the two districts and about 6000 cash cards were issued to them.

The Pakistan Army and some NGOs are providing relief goods to the displaced families and they are planning to start second shift classes for IDPs not to waste the time of students.

The operation Rah-i-Nijat in South Waziristan is expected to be a tougher challenge for the Pakistan army compared to operation Rah-i-Rast in Swat simply because it is believed that there is greater support for the militants in that area than there was in Swat.

Analysts say the operation may last for two months, but in such matters giving and sticking to time frames can be difficult. Because winter is fast approaching and if the conflict drags on, life will become even tougher for the displaced people. One hopes, that the government has learnt from the experience of the Swat IDPs and that contingency plans are in place. Also, while all humanitarian assistance should be extended to the affected people, the authorities must be wary of extremists trying to sneak out posing as refugees.