End in sight?

Surprisingly quickly troops seem to have completed a rout of militants in South Waziristan. According to reports coming out from the area, most key towns have been taken including those considered key militant strongholds. The second phase of the operation, in which hamlets and smaller outposts controlled by the Taliban are to be seized to consolidate gains in the tribal agency, is due to begin. On the surface at least there appears to be cause for celebration. Almost all military experts and analysts, prior to the launch of the operation, had predicted a long, hard battle in South Waziristan. Indeed some insiders say that even army officers have been surprised by the pace of the victory. Certainly prior experience in the area had been quite different, with soldiers struggling to assert themselves over the Taliban. It is possible the split within the organization and the talks that have persuaded key tribal factions to go against the men of Hakimullah MehsudHakimullah Mehsud and Waliur Rehman have had a positive impact.

But there have also been words of warning. Some suggest the lack of resistance put up by the militants is a tactic. That rather than taking on determined troops in South Waziristan, they have deliberately withdrawn to the mountains and to the more treacherous terrain of regions that include North Waziristan, hoping to draw in forces to an arena more suited to guerrilla war. Others suggest key leaders have re-located to Balochistan, to Karachi, to southern Punjab and other places, making plans to keep up their battle from there. We continue to hope of course that the gains in South Waziristan mark a genuine end to Taliban control over the area and that they will result in a decline in terrorism and the instability it creates. But we must also be mentally prepared for the possibility that a longer, tougher fight still lies ahead. It is also important to think beyond military strategy. The Pakistan army has performed the task assigned to it heroically. We all owe it appreciation. It is time now for the government to demonstrate what it is capable of by announcing a plan of action for the future of FATA and the people there. Unless this happens, the victory being anticipated now could be rendered meaningless, with a new generation of militants rising to take the place of those who, we all hope, now stand defeated.