On Jan 13, 2006, American UAVs fired multiple missiles into the village in an unsuccessful attempt to kill al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri. In October 2006, the first drone strike killed 82 people, mostly children, which in turn triggered the very first attacks against Pakistani forces. They started integrating houses and bazaars into defence. And if that was not enough Lashkars and political agents were attacked and killed. “Lashkars are tribal militia who restore order in these regions. They are neither raised not supported by the government. It is an age-old system that cannot be controlled. We only intervened when things got out of control of the Lashkars,” adds Nauman. Among other incidents, political leaders and NATO supplies were targeted and locals were abducted for ransom. In the areas controlled by militants, girls’ education was banned and basic rights were gravely endangered.
The limit came when Taliban started collecting revenue and issuing permission for commercial activities. A letter seeking permission to open a factory was displayed. Beside it was a letter on Taliban’s letterhead that had promptly granted the permission to move ahead. The army intervened. However, the tribal asked for nanawatai fearing civilian casualties. The army complied when the 700 elders of Mamund Tribe signed the 28-point document of surrender.
However, the lull was utilised by Taliban to strengthen their stronghold. But the Pakistan army also benefited from the ceasefire. Taliban was stripped of its ideology, its propaganda whip and the most important constituent of its plot, that is, the claim for execution of Sharia laws. After months of myopic irresolution the government mustered the guts and decided to call their bluff. Notwithstanding harsh censure from within the country and abroad, Islamabad accepted the demand. After achieving what Taliban claimed it was fighting for, they lost their lead cause to go on committing slaughter in the name of acting out an “Islamic Renaissance”. But they did not stop. The local populace turned against them. The army launched Operation Sher Dil in August 2008.
It was started to stop the imminent fall of Khar, headquarters of Bajaur agency, to the Taliban. The focus then shifted to Dara, Mullah Syed and Banda areas. Rashakai, Tang Khatta, Mamoond, Bai Cheena, Bicheena, Delay, Nisarabad, Niag Banda, Charmang and Khazana, were also targeted due to the largest concentration of Tahreek-e-Taliban (TTP) there. The land here is perforated with several wet and dry river beds making road progress toilsome. On August 6, 8,000 troops from the 14th Division, backed by 20 Cobra attack helicopters from the 31st and 32nd Squadrons and fighter jets pounded Taliban holdouts. It was a great display of force and might.
The limit came when Taliban started collecting revenue and issuing permission for commercial activities. A letter seeking permission to open a factory was displayed. Beside it was a letter on Taliban’s letterhead that had promptly granted the permission to move ahead. The army intervened. However, the tribal asked for nanawatai fearing civilian casualties. The army complied when the 700 elders of Mamund Tribe signed the 28-point document of surrender.
However, the lull was utilised by Taliban to strengthen their stronghold. But the Pakistan army also benefited from the ceasefire. Taliban was stripped of its ideology, its propaganda whip and the most important constituent of its plot, that is, the claim for execution of Sharia laws. After months of myopic irresolution the government mustered the guts and decided to call their bluff. Notwithstanding harsh censure from within the country and abroad, Islamabad accepted the demand. After achieving what Taliban claimed it was fighting for, they lost their lead cause to go on committing slaughter in the name of acting out an “Islamic Renaissance”. But they did not stop. The local populace turned against them. The army launched Operation Sher Dil in August 2008.
It was started to stop the imminent fall of Khar, headquarters of Bajaur agency, to the Taliban. The focus then shifted to Dara, Mullah Syed and Banda areas. Rashakai, Tang Khatta, Mamoond, Bai Cheena, Bicheena, Delay, Nisarabad, Niag Banda, Charmang and Khazana, were also targeted due to the largest concentration of Tahreek-e-Taliban (TTP) there. The land here is perforated with several wet and dry river beds making road progress toilsome. On August 6, 8,000 troops from the 14th Division, backed by 20 Cobra attack helicopters from the 31st and 32nd Squadrons and fighter jets pounded Taliban holdouts. It was a great display of force and might.
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