The South Wazirstan military operation, officially announced its commencement on 16 Jun 2009, with heavy aerial bombardment of helicopter gunships and jet fighters, targeting hideouts and basis of militants.
Despite a period of two months, and a week above of military operations in Wazirstan region, there seems to be no end in sight as yet. There has been no announcement by government to end the military operations in Malakand, and neither any step has been taken for the return of three million plus IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Above all, with many military operations already going on, the government simultaneously opened other newer front at Malakand Division, South Wazirstan and Bannu.   
The ability of the militants perched atop mountains remains questionable and it seems that a severe military retaliation might push back the militants to Afghanistan or Balochistan. Whatever the scenario, it is evident that government was bound to face severe difficulty in enforcing its writ in Wazirstan, easily. This is the same area, from where, earlier, the militants had easily managed to abduct 200 soldiers, and were released after an intensive effort spanning over months.
The Taliban of Wazirstan can be divided into major groups; the first one led by Abdullah Mehsud, succeeded by his first cousin, Qari Zainuddin. Abdullah Mehsud hailed from the EssaKhel sub clan of Mehsud clan. Baitullah Mehsud belongs from the Shoora Khel sub clan of Mehsud tribe. The successor of Essakhel tribe, Zain ul Abadin, after the death of Abdullah Mehsud openly opposed Baitullah Mehsud, and also killed 20 of Baitullah’s associates.
However only a week back, the biggest critic and adversary of Baitullah Mehsud and supporter of Army operations in FATA, Zain-Ul-Abadin was murdered in his hujra (private bedroom) by none other than his own personal bodyguard. The military analysts have termed this murder as a very major loss for Army operations, since only Zain-Ul-Abadin was aware of all the hideouts and major bases of Baitullah Mehsud.
The Analysts are also of the view that opening new fronts simultaneously was not conducive or feasible for the Army, since it would only compound logistic and operational problems. However this could be a part of governmental strategy to resist any cohesive formation of Taliban in any one region, while another danger of militants spreading over a vast area could also pose problems of thinning out of troops, and gradual spread of these militants all over Country; like the recent possibility of another uprising in Southern Punjab.
There have been recent media news of many militant related activities in Southern Punjab, as they have also been confirmed by interior minister himself. During a press conference, I.G Punjab, Tariq Saleem Dogar informed that out of twenty-five most dangerous terrorists, 13 most wanted had been arrested in Sargodha. They include, Saad alias Mujahid, Abdullah alias Ghazali Khalid and Qari Muhammad etc. Observers have termed this as a major breakthrough for Punjab police. Meanwhile in continued  Nationwide crackdowns on suspects , police arrested 15 alleged personnel as terrorists and transferred them to unknown place for investigations. This increasing influence of militants in Punjab following tribal areas has worried intelligentsia and other segments of society.
The security forces have also claimed the killing of right hand man of Maulvi Fazlullah, Maulana Shah Doran, in Swat district, which is being touted as a success for security forces. According to ISPR, about 90% of Swat district is now under the control of security forces; and encouraged by such phenomena the Provincial government has ordered all officials to report for duty, forthwith. Many IDPs from district Buner have returned to their native land, and as according to claims of federal minister for water and power, Raja Pervez Ashraf electricity has also been restored in the region!?
Meanwhile there have been contradictory reports about whereabouts of Maulana Sufi Muhammad, and according to the last received such news, the confusion about the authenticity of such news remains. No confirmation is possible about either death or his arrest or being alive.
The action against militants by regional lashkars (volunteers) in Upper Dir has entered its third week, and according to the leader of Lashkar, Malik Mutaebiar Khan, the lashkar was being aided by jet fighters, helicopter gunships, and heavy artillery fire. The lashkar consists of 9000 volunteers of 40 odd villages, pitted against a possible 200-250 militants.
According to information received so far, 38 militants have so far been killed, while according to observers and analysts the recently formed lashkar volunteers was the biggest ever formed in history of Province. Due to the strengths of the Jirga system, it is being hoped that this lashkar would be able to prove itself to be a bulwark in action against the Taliban elements, within 2 weeks time, while keeping in mind any strong resistance by Taliban elements, it could however drag by some time.
Reports released by interior minister Rehman Malik reveal more than 138 Army personnel martyred, while 1592 militants have been killed. The CM of NWFP, Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti has hoped that the operation would be ending in matter of days, and all the IDPs would be able to return back to their homes. However, unfortunately the matter is just the opposite, security forces are facing tougher than expected resistance, and IDPs would have to wait for longer until they could be able to cherish their return home.
Even the UN representative for refugees has also express deep concern over, what is being termed as quite a nightmarish issue, and besides, the government also failed to evolve a conducive strategy or planning for the hapless IDPs. The spokesman for the UN also said that out of the promised U$.543 million aid, only 36% of donations have so far been received, and has also announced that the total number of IDPs in Swabi district’s Yargeen refugee camp, had swelled to 80,000 from past of 32,000. The promised help to refugees of Rs. 25,000/- per family failed to emanate even after one month, while the NWFP had also announced to cease any further registration of IDPs, starting 25 June. All this has compounded the woes of IDPs, while UN had announced that a team had departed for Buner district to analyze the grim situation, firsthand.
However, to sum it up simply, the situation would be able to be brought under control only after government makes serious efforts for rehabilitation of refugees.
Copyeditor: Waqar Anwar