The Enemy Within

The Pakistan Army is now the undoubted lead agency in the battle against those who challenged and continue to challenge the writ of the State. Malakand and Bajaur at the northern end of FATA are being cleared—this area had to be given priority because of the blatant exploitation of the Swat Peace Agreement to expand Taliban influence. An operation is also underway to eliminate the threat to Frontier Region Bannu and DI Khan at the southern end of FATA. The significance of operations at the two extremities of FATA aimed at the zones of greatest threat should be apparent. The other Frontier Regions (not a part of FATA) are just east of South and North Waziristan---inevitably the focus of the future operation announced by the Government through the Governor NWFP. Recent retaliatory bombing attacks in the cities that made no distinction between civilian and security apparatus targets have been owned by the Taliban leadership in Waziristan. These have hardened resolve to battle the Taliban.