North Waziristan anti-terrorist operation

The frequency of terrorists’ sneaking into the frontline province of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa is rising. In a week time security forces conducted two anti-terrorist operations, one in the settled district of Tank and other in the tribal district of North Waziristan. According to ISPR, the security forces conducted intelligence based operation against the hideout of terrorists at Mama Ziarat near Datta Khel. On cordoning off the area, the hiding terrorist opened fire on security forces martyring one lieutenant and tree soldiers of Pak Army. In the encounter seven terrorists were killed. A week ago in antiterrorist operation in Tank Colonel Mujeebur Rehman had been martyred.

The southern districts of D.I. Khan adjoins the neighbouring province of Baluchistan where still Pak Afghan border is porous and terrorists sneak into Pakistan through unfrequented routes. Then it is easy for them to enter Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, the border of which with Afghanistan is properly fenced and managed to prevent the entry of militants from Afghanistan. After crossing over the border from Baluchistan and entering into the Southern districts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa it is then easy for the militants to find hideouts as they get morphed with Afghan Refugees.

Under the tripartite agreement of March 2003 with Afghanistan and UNHCR, the voluntary repatriation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan remained very slow from Azakhel center in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa last year. From Quetta center, there was zero repatriation of Afghan nationals. Government of Baluchistan has repeatedly demanded fast-track process of Afghan Refugees’ repatriation. As the return process under the tripartite agreement is not successful, therefore, the agreement needs review in the national interest.

The Judicial Commission report on the Quetta Civil Hospital attack had highlighted certain glaring shortcomings in the National Security Policy of the federal government. The report had also emphasised refinement of National Action Plan, proper monitoring and implementation of its goals. But political leadership has not shown seriousness to implement all points of the plan.