Pakistan: ''Taliban trap''

Naeem Tahir

The terrorist consortium of Fazlullah had several things to take stock of. They needed a respite from drones and air attacks, and time to collect their fragments. The time thus obtained was meant to strategise their actions when the withdrawal of US troops takes place from Afghanistan

“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.”

Under the leadership of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the negotiating team and the Pakistan government have met the fate of Humpty Dumpty. This is not the first time that ‘politicians’ have tried ‘negotiations’ for peace. This is also not the first time that these Humpty Dumpty types have had a fall. However, this time, “All the kings horses and all the king’s men” may not be able to put Humpty back together again because kings and horses are reluctant and content to only ‘observe’.

It is baffling that the so-called ‘wise’ politicians fail to understand the strategies of terrorist outfits. They have fallen into the trap not once but several times. Wise men like our interior minister stay convinced that they know better! Before the month of ceasefire was over, media man Raza Rumi was attacked, Bilawal was threatened, airports came under threat and, above all, the Mazars of the Quaid and Iqbal, the symbols of Pakistan, have also been threatened. This is as far as the fate of the ceasefire goes. The recent meeting between the two sides is a gross failure. The terrorists have yet to commit unequivocally to release Shahbaz Taseer or Ali Haider Gilani and gave a fake list of their prisoners to the government as homework. Maulana Samiul Haq and Chaudhry Nisar may put up cosmetic touches of hope but the failure is obvious.

Since the wisdom of the politicians is not working, maybe a common sense perception will help. The Taliban/terrorist consortium is headed by Mullah Fazlullah who lives in the safe haven of Kunar. Kunar is that province of Afghanistan where the whole operation against Pakistan was planned under the expert advice of the top echelons of al Qaeda in 2004. Kunar provides a safe, unnoticeable entry into Pakistan’s Swat state area. Readers may recall how deeply the terrorists entrenched themselves in the Peochar mountains of Swat. They had several kilometres long caves in which they stored ammunition, set up a hospital and a guerilla-plus-suicide training camp before these were noticed. Mullah Fazlullah is a strategist; he organised a donkey-mounted mobile transmitter system for communication among his terror groups, controlled the mosques, and ordered ruthless attacks on schools. The Lal Masjid strategy worked and all those released were recruited by him. He trapped the politicians into negotiations in Swat and the politicians ran begging for peace. However, as soon as he had reorganised, Mullah Fazlullah threw out the political negotiators and started a bloody onslaught in Swat valley. It was the Pakistan army that had to be called into action. The army did a proper job and restored the area to the country and its people. Mullah Fazlullah escaped to Kunar.

At the time, the combined action of the Pakistan armed forces, including the air force and the US drones, broke the back of the Taliban terror consortium but Fazlullah became the Taliban’s new leader and came up with a new plan. The bait of negotiations was thrown again. Fazlullah must have been in total consultation with Mullah Omar and other al Qaeda strategists. One can see that in the situation of a fractured, damaged command structure in Waziristan due to the Pakistan army action, the terror consortium needed to take stock. For this, a breather was necessary and the negotiation bait was thrown. It was likely to be successful with the new set up of political governments having a soft corner for the Taliban. The bait succeeded, thanks to the political parties, Taliban supporter Chaudhry Nisar, and a nod from Nawaz Sharif. The undercurrent moving our politicians in this direction is primarily their fear of the armed forces. No doubt, the armed forces can clear this menace but then the image of the forces will rise and people will hold them in higher respect. Politicians do not want this to happen. So, with great fanfare, they pinned their hopes on negotiations and ignored many clear hints from the army and, hence, the army gracefully remained as observers.

The terrorist consortium of Fazlullah had several things to take stock of. They needed a respite from drones and air attacks, and time to collect their fragments. The time thus obtained was meant to strategise their actions when the withdrawal of US troops takes place from Afghanistan. The major need was to regroup and plan organised attacks on Afghanistan to take control and establish the government they had lost and, after attacks, retreat to the safe havens of Waziristan. They also needed to decide upon their future action in Syria, the Middle East and Europe. The changed situation in Egypt also needed a review. The terror consortium was also facing internal indiscipline. There are indeed several groups, said to be about 43 in number. They operate in loose association under the Pakistani Taliban cover. The Ahrarul Hind clearly announced their differences and spoiled the Fazlullah game by attacking and killing in the Islamabad courts. Later, they settled some terms and agreed to be quiet for a bit. The terrorists did their homework and put up impossible demands like wanting the Pakistan army to withdraw from Waziristan! Probably to create a state without Pakistan’s control? These are impossible demands, plus an expression of inability to accept Pakistan’s conditions. The negotiations failed and the terrorists could not care less because their purpose of an interim respite was served, and they must have developed future strategies. Now they can continue the bloodshed of Pakistanis. Therefore, expect renewed attacks and threats.

This is only common sense. The wise politicians can sugarcoat, compromise, cover up and deceive the public but their cosmetics must be seen through and washed off. The fact is that there are no solutions accept a final, organised fight by the armed forces. If some groups are willing to accept Pakistan’s constitution they should be given consideration — others must be eliminated. Yes, these are our enemies and must be eliminated completely. The blood of 60,000 innocent Pakistanis must be respected. The armed forces must do their duty to protect the integrity and safety of the nation without delay.