PESHAWAR: The recent target killings in Swat valley have caused a wave of fear among the militancy fed-up residents and alarmed many personalities opposed to Taliban but the people are not only resolute to fight them but also trust the military to stop the militants from regaining the valley.
“Neither the target killings nor any other tactic of the militants could frighten us,” said former district nazim of Swat Jamal Nasir Khan. He is the son of former provincial minister, Shujaat Ali Khan. Taliban have attacked Jamal Nasir and his family members several times and torched his house in Shangwatai area in Matta.
“We have witnessed more horrible situation than this one. It could not shake our resolve. We will continue to side with the government and oppose terrorism,” he vowed and said if the militants killed them, the young members of his family would continue the fight. Unidentified attackers, believed to be Taliban, recently killed five persons opposed to them. However, Taliban have not claimed responsibility for the killings.
A former union council nazim Sajjad Khan was killed in Mingora along with two others on April 13. Alamgir Khan and Mukaram Khan were gunned down in Dherai while Bahre Karam and Aqil Shah were shot dead in former Taliban stronghold of Koza Bandai in Kabal tehsil. The three incidents took place within 10 days.
Son of veteran Awami National Party leader Afzal Khan Lala is also upbeat. “Life has started and people have got the courage now,” Muhammad Farooq told The News by phone. He said Taliban’s return was out of question, given the people’s resolve and military presence. Led by his father, he and his family did not leave Swat even when Taliban held sway in the valley. Afzal Khan Lala was officially rewarded for bravely fighting the Taliban.
The military routed Taliban in an operation last year. Though the militants could not recapture any nook in Swat, the deadly suicide attacks proved their presence. The target killings have led several analysts to believe that the militants are not going to give up and have been trying to regroup. The militants dispersed by military action appear to have established some kind of communication, evident from this year’s suicide attacks in Swat and Dir Lower.
“We are investigating to establish whether these are connected incidents or acts against individuals,” said police chief for the Malakand division, Qazi Jamilur Rahman. He had no doubt that the targeted persons were pro-government and said the police would make efforts to stave off such happenings in future. He said three separate investigation teams were probing the cases.
Whatever may be the level of people’s resolve, the target killings have alarmed many. “Its a more serious threat than suicide bombings,” said spokesman for the Swat Qaumi Jirga, Ziauddin Yousafzai, who has been speaking out against the Taliban.
People particularly those opposed to Taliban have reduced their movements. “We avoid attending functions and condolence gatherings,” said Jamal Nasir, who returned to Swat after spending time in Islamabad during the Taliban rule in the valley.
The anti-Taliban people feel insecure because of the enemy being faceless and unidentifiable. Ziauddin thought the target killings, carried out by remnants of Taliban, had caused fear among the residents. But he also sounds optimistic. “I think the wave of target killing may not continue for long, as the security forces are resolute to eliminate the militants.”
The recent incidents also point to lack of intelligence gathering. The Swat Quami Jirga in the first week of April had warned the shift in security forces’ focus to reconstruction from security could cause problems. “Not the lashkars, but effective intelligence-gathering could ensure victory in this war,” opined Ziauddin.
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