Tribal militancy: ‘1,000-plus operations conducted in 2009-10’

The Express Tribune

Pakistani security forces carried out around 300 major and 700 minor operations in the militant-infested tribal regions over the past few years, said a top commander on Tuesday.
Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Khalid Rabbani – who commands the forces engaged in counterinsurgency operations in the tribal belt – told students at Peshawar University’s Political Science Department that nearly 3,000 security personnel were killed and 10,000 wounded in these operations.
He said the government’s writ has been re-established in 91% of the areas, while nine per cent was in ‘contested control’.
Lt Gen Rabbani described the political ownership of the military operations as the way forward in achieving ‘long-lasting peace’ in the volatile region.
Responding to a question, the corps commander sought to debunk the ‘myth’ that the army consumed 80% of the nation’s budget.
“The fact of the matter is that all the three forces — army, navy and air force — consume 17% of the country’s budget, while the army’s share in it is only 8.7%,” he said.
Regional development
Discussing the development of the region, Lt Gen Rabbani said the army was working on a “sustainable development plan in order to improve the livelihood of the people of tribal areas” and also mentioned around 52 ongoing educational projects aiming to provide quality education to the people of the region.
He termed the gradual mainstreaming of tribal regions and its infrastructure development as key towards its socio-economic development.
Air blitz
Meanwhile, in ongoing operation in Central Kurram Agency five suspected militants were killed in air strikes on Tuesday.
A security official told The Express Tribune that choppers attacked suspected bases of militants in the Tor Ghar area of Central Kurram near the Pak-Afghan border, killing five militants and destroying four hideouts. The militants were thought to be associated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Security forces initiated the operation after frequent attacks on them by militants. However, the claims could not be independently verified as the area has been closed to journalists.